Unit 1 of the Changjiang nuclear power plant on China’s southern island province of Hainan has been connected to the electricity grid, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced today.

The 650 MWe CNP-600 pressurized water reactor (PWR) was connected to the grid at 7.12pm on 7 November, CNNC said.

Initial approval for the Changjiang plant’s construction was granted by China’s National Developmental and Reform Commission in July 2008. Early site works began in December that year. Construction of unit 1 began with the pouring of first concrete on 25 April 2010, while that for unit 2 was poured on 21 November that year.

The loading of the 121 fuel assemblies into the core of Changjiang 1 began on 26 August and the reactor achieved first criticality on 12 October. It is expected to begin commercial operation by the end of this year, while unit 2 is set to start up next year.

The plant, near Hoi Mei Tong village in China’s Hainan province, is being built as a joint venture between CNNC and China Huaneng Group, with shares split 51% and 49%, respectively. The plant will eventually comprise four units, with units 3 and 4 housing either CNP-650 or ACP-600 reactors. Construction of both those units is scheduled to begin by 2018.

CNNC said that the Changjiang plant is being built with a localization rate of more than 82%. It noted that once Changjiang 2 starts up, the plant will supply one-third of the province’s electricity.