On 1 May, Qinshan Phase III Unit 1 — China’s first commercial heavy water reactor — was disconnected from the East China Power Grid, marking the end of power generation for its current fuel cycle. Since connecting to the grid on 24 April 2023, the unit has operated continuously for 738 days in a safe, stable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. This is the longest continuous grid-connected operation record for a nuclear power unit in China, as well as the longest for a CANDU-6 heavy water reactor in a single fuel cycle worldwide.

To date, the two Qinshan Phase III units have safely operated for a total of 43 reactor-years, generating 248 billion kWh of electricity. The units have achieved full scores 13 times in the WANO composite index, with Unit 1 receiving full scores for six consecutive years since 2019. Qinshan Phase III is now operating at a world-leading level in terms of safety and performance.

(Source: China National Nuclear Corporation)