On June 2, the China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project reached a milestone. Unit 3 of the Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning province, invested by China National Nuclear Power Co Ltd (CNNP) under China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), successfully completed the Hot Functional Test (HFT), laying a solid foundation for fuel loading and grid-connected power generation.

As a comprehensive verification conducted under conditions closest to actual operation, HFT aims to validate the operational reliability of systems and equipment in both the nuclear island and conventional island under thermal conditions before fuel loading, and ensure all relevant parameters meet design specifications.

The Xudapu nuclear power project is designed to construct six million-kW-class pressurized water reactor units in phases with a total installed capacity of over 7.6 million kW and a total investment of 140 billion yuan. Upon completion, the project will deliver nearly 54 billion kWh of clean electricity annually. It will save 19.2 million tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 56.7 million tons per year, equivalent to the carbon absorption of 360,000 hectares of forest in one year. The project strongly bolsters Liaoning's efforts to build an integrated energy base featuring wind, solar, thermal, nuclear and energy storage resources.