Changjiang‑2 on China’s Hainan Island Connected to the Grid

Changjiang-2 on China’s Hainan Island Connected to the Grid

Monday, 21 June 2016

Grid connection took place on 20 June 2016 of the Changjiang-2 Generation II Changjiang Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) on the Chinese southern island of Hainan. The reactor started up with a delay of about four months compared to the target date one year ago. When construction started in November 2010, the objective was a startup in 2015 (no month indicated at the time). While the overall delay is limited compared to many other projects, it is surprising that the industrial visibility was not better one year ago to avoid a four-month delay. The reactor project at Changjiang is a joint venture between the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and China Huaneng Group, with shares split 51 percent and 49 percent respectively. The CNP-600 reactor is a successor to the CNP 300, China’s first indigenously designed and built reactor. The Changjiang site will host four reactors, with construction starts of Units 3 and 4 scheduled for 2018, which will either be CNP-650 or ACP-600 design. The connection of Changjiang-2, following grid connection of unit 1 in November 2015, brings China’s operating nuclear fleet to 34, with 21 under construction.