China has brought the first Hualong One nuclear reactor in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into commercial operation, after its 1116 MWe (net) domestically designed pressurized water reactor completed a series of commissioning tests, including a 168-hour continuous trial run on April 19, according to China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN).
The newly commissioned Unit 1 at China General Nuclear Power Group’s (CGN) Taipingling nuclear power project in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, can generate more than 9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
That output is enough to meet the electricity needs of around one million residents in the Greater Bay Area, World Nuclear News reported.
The Greater Bay Area includes major cities such as Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.
The project marks another milestone for China’s domestically developed Hualong One reactor design, which Beijing has promoted as a key part of its clean energy expansion and energy security plans.
“Unit 1 of the project has completed all performance tests and a 168-hour continuous full-load operation assessment, and currently all parameters are normal and stable, with the unit in good condition,” said Zhang Guoqiang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairperson of CGN Huizhou Nuclear Power Co., according to Global Times.
The reactor received its operating licence from China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment in December 2025.
Fuel loading began the same day after regulatory approval, and the unit achieved first criticality on February 3 before connecting to the grid on February 13.
CGN said the plant’s annual clean electricity generation would help cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 8.4 million tonnes each year.
The company added that the environmental benefit is comparable to afforesting 20,000 hectares.
The Greater Bay Area remains one of China’s most energy-intensive and economically active regions, making stable baseload electricity a strategic priority for policymakers.
The full Taipingling project will have six Hualong One reactors built in three phases, with a total investment of more than CNY120 billion ($17 billion).
\When fully completed, the site is expected to generate more than 55 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
According to media reports, the site would save 16.65 million tons of standard coal and eliminate 50.82 million tons of carbon emissions each year.
Construction of Units 1 and 2 began in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Unit 2 is expected to begin fuel loading in the near future, while construction of Unit 3 is already underway after Phase II approval in late 2023.
CGN said the reactor also includes several upgrades based on earlier Hualong One projects.
According to a report on Global Times, there were 26 major design improvements and more than 8,300 practical upgrades.
These include the first use of a digital handover 3.0 system, designed to integrate the physical plant and digital power station at delivery.
With Taipingling Unit 1 now online, CGN operates 29 nuclear power units with a total installed capacity of 33.04 million kilowatts.
The company also has 19 units under construction, including 17 using third-generation Hualong One technology.
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With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.
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