More testing ahead of commercial operation The Fuqing nuclear power station in Fujian province, southeastern China. Image courtesy CNEA. First criticality has been achieved at Unit 6 of the Fuqing nuclear power station in Fujian province, southeastern China, the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA) said today.

CNEA said a stable self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction was achieved for the first time at 18:32 local time on 11 December 2021.

Fuqing-6 has now become the second of two demonstration Generation-III Hualong One units at the site which have been started up.

In October 2020, Fuqing-5, a twin unit, became the first ever reactor unit of the Hualong One design to achieve first criticality. The unit then began commercial operation in January 2021.

There are six units at the Fuqing site - four domestic CNP1000s and two Hualong One units. All are commercially operational except the newest, Fuqing-6.

CNEA said a series of tests will now be carried out at Fuqing-6 before the reactor can be connected to the national grid.

The Hualong One, or HPR1000, is an indigenous 1,100 MW, three-loop pressurised water reactor. It incorporates elements of China National Nuclear Corporation’s ACP1000 and China General Nuclear’s ACPR1000+ reactor designs.