China has taken a major step forward in its nuclear power ambitions as the No.2 Unit of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant in Fujian Province successfully connected to the State Grid for the first time on Saturday, according to a statement from China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) reported by the Global Times. This milestone marks a key moment in the mass deployment of the domestically developed Hualong-1 reactor series, the country’s flagship third-generation nuclear technology.
Experts highlight that the achievement is not just about expanding clean electricity supply; it represents a critical phase in China’s strategic push for full localization of advanced nuclear technologies. After initial grid-connection tests, on-site checks confirmed that the reactor was operating stably and that all technical indicators met design standards. The unit will now undergo scheduled performance tests before it becomes fully operational commercially.
The Zhangzhou nuclear power plant is the starting point for mass deployment of the Hualong-1 series and will eventually house six reactors, making it the largest Hualong-1 base in the world. Once fully operational, the plant is projected to supply over 60 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, covering roughly 75 percent of the combined power demand for Xiamen and Zhangzhou in southern Fujian.
Hualong-1 combines safety, technological sophistication, and cost efficiency, positioning China as a competitive player in the global nuclear market. Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, told the Global Times that the reactor “has effectively become China’s flagship brand” in international nuclear cooperation. Lin added that Hualong-1 now stands on par with the leading third-generation reactor designs globally and benefits from China’s advantages in construction timelines, engineering efficiency, manufacturing capacity, and cost competitiveness.
Construction of Zhangzhou’s No.2 Unit began on September 4, 2020, with nuclear fuel loaded on October 11, 2025. Lin emphasized that for over a decade, China has been virtually the only country consistently building nuclear plants at scale, securing a position at the forefront of global nuclear construction capabilities.
As demand for reliable, low-carbon energy grows—driven by AI, advanced manufacturing, and global decarbonization initiatives—Chinese nuclear technology is attracting increasing international interest. Lin noted that the globalization of Hualong-1 technology “is becoming an inevitable trend,” serving as a strategic asset in expanding China’s nuclear footprint overseas and enhancing its long-term competitiveness in the global nuclear power industry.
The successful grid connection of Zhangzhou’s No.2 Unit underscores China’s growing leadership in clean energy and nuclear technology, highlighting the country’s ability to deploy sophisticated, fully localized reactors at scale while preparing to meet both domestic and global energy demands.
