On Tuesday, a hot functional test of the No. 2 unit of China National Nuclear Corporation's Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant, a project of the Hualong One batch construction, was successfully completed, laying a solid foundation for subsequent steps such as nuclear fuel loading and grid connection.

The hot functional test involves the operation of the main pumps and electric heater of the voltage regulator to raise the temperature and pressure of the reactor coolant system. During this comprehensive testing phase, a series of commissioning and periodic functional tests were conducted on specific test platforms. It aimed to simulate various thermal working conditions of a nuclear power plant and verify the reliability of the nuclear island and conventional island equipment and systems under hot operating conditions.

Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant is the launch site for the batch construction of Hualong One reactors and the world’s largest Hualong One nuclear power base. The project plans to build six Hualong One units. The No. 1 unit is already in commercial operation, while the No. 2 is scheduled to begin commercial operation in the fourth quarter of this year. Construction of the No. 3 and No. 4 units began in 2024, and preparatory work for No. 5 and No. 6 units is under steady progress.