17 January 2015

Fangjiashan‑2 Connected to Chinese Grid

Fangjiashan-2 Connected to the Chinese Grid

Saturday 17 January 2015

The Fangjiashan unit 2 reactor was connected to the Chinese grid on 12 January 2015, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Power Reactor Information System (PRIS). The CPR-1000 reactor in China’s eastern coastal province of Zhejiang achieved first criticality on 25 December 2014, as reported by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The project is an expansion of the nearby Qinshan nuclear plant, and is 72 percent owned by CNNC, with the remainder held by Zhejiang Provincial Energy Group Co Ltd. Construction began in July 2009. Construction of Fangjiashan-2 started in July 2009 and by early 2012 grid connection was planned for October 2014. Fangjiashan unit 1 was connected to the grid on 4 November 2014, eleven months later than planned in 2012.

Both Fangjiashan reactor units are modified versions of the Framatome CPO/CP1/CP2 series of 900 MW reactors, which were built in France between 1971 and 1987 (34 units in total). Described as obsolete by the U.S. Government, there are currently an additional 15 CPR-1000 reactors under construction in China, the most prolific of any one design under construction worldwide.