The No. 2 unit of the China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) Zhejiang San Ao nuclear power project has successfully completed its first nuclear fuel loading. This significant milestone marks the unit’s official entry into the operational testing phase, bringing the project closer to its goal of full production and power generation for its first phase.
Key Progress in Nuclear Development
The successful fuel loading of the San Ao Unit 2 is a crucial step forward for the project. The San Ao nuclear power plant is planned to house six Hualong One nuclear reactor units, with construction divided into three phases. Currently, four units have been approved, and the overall construction is proceeding steadily as scheduled.
Once all six units are operational, the plant is projected to generate over 54 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This output is substantial, nearing 80% of the total annual electricity consumption of Wenzhou city. Furthermore, the plant is expected to significantly contribute to environmental sustainability by saving over 16.35 million tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 50 million tons each year.
A New Era for Private Investment in Nuclear Power
Notably, the Zhejiang San Ao project is recognized as the first nuclear power project in China to involve private capital. The first phase of this pioneering project received national approval on September 2, 2020. Construction for Unit 1 began on December 31, 2020.
In April of this year, the No. 1 unit of the CGN Zhejiang San Ao nuclear power project officially met the conditions for commercial operation. The unit is currently operating with stable and controllable parameters, exhibiting excellent overall performance. Based on the average utilization hours of domestic nuclear power in 2025, Unit 1 is expected to generate over 9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This amount is sufficient to meet the annual electricity needs of over one million residents for both production and daily life.
Future Outlook
The successful completion of the first fuel loading for Unit 2 is a testament to the project’s progress and the collaborative efforts involved. The project’s commitment to utilizing the Hualong One design, a domestically developed third-generation nuclear reactor technology, underscores China’s advancements in nuclear energy. As the project moves into its next stages, it is poised to become a significant contributor to China’s clean energy supply and economic development, while also paving the way for increased private sector participation in strategic energy infrastructure.
