Unit four of the Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) began its first concrete pouring date (FCD) on Dec 23, marking the official start of construction on another Hualong-1 (HPR1000) demonstration power unit , China's first homegrown nuclear power plant.

Located in Fangchenggang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the unit is the first Hualong-1 power unit built during the 13th Five Year Plan (2016-2020). The project is constructed by the China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), the largest nuclear power operator in China.

CGN now has 19 nuclear power units in operation with a total installed capacity of 20.38 GW and nine under construction with the installed capacity of 11.36 GW, the latter of which sustains CGN the world’s largest nuclear power construction company.

The Fangchenggang NPP will act as a reference power station for CGN’s Bradwell B Project in the UK, and will demonstrate China’s cutting-edge nuclear power technology to the international market.

The plant includes two phases of construction, planned with six million-kilowatt nuclear power units in total. The phase one project was completed and put into service on Oct 1, featuring two fully operational CPR1000 nuclear power units. The project phase two will focus on the Hualong-1, the third generation of China’s home-grown nuclear power technology.

Upon completion, the plant will provide steady and clear power for the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone, and also play a positive role in the control of air pollution. The four units, once put into operation, are estimated to generate 31.5-billion-kilowatts of electricity, while also cutting coal consumption by 10.12 million metric tons, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 24.86 million tons and decreasing both sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 400,000 tons. The plant’s environmental benefit is equal to those of 725-square-kilometers of forests.

Fulfilling social responsibility is another contribution of the plant, which has offered more than 2,800 job opportunities for Fangchenggang locals and Guangxi people. The Fangchenggang NPP has also held 14 public activities and received over 10,000 visitors.