At 0:22 on June 25, Unit 2 of CGN’s Taipingling nuclear power plant achieved first criticality, officially marking the reactor’s capability to sustain a controlled, self-sustaining chain fission reaction.
At 09:45 on June 24, the control point for first criticality of Unit 2 at the Taipingling nuclear power plant was formally signed off and released, marking the start of the reactor’s approach-to-criticality phase. Through close coordination among engineering, operations and all relevant disciplines, and strict adherence to test procedures, the unit underwent control rod withdrawal, boron concentration dilution and rod withdrawal to criticality. Unit 2 ultimately reached criticality safely and smoothly, laying a solid foundation for subsequent grid connection and commercial operation.
Following first criticality, the commissioning physics test team at Taipingling will continue to uphold the work ethic of “rigour, prudence, meticulousness and diligence” in depth, and will carry out subsequent zero-power physics tests and other tasks in a safe and orderly manner, fully advancing Unit 2 towards its high-quality commercial operation.
It is learned that the Taipingling nuclear power project is planned to comprise six Hualong One nuclear units, to be built in three phases. Unit 1 of the project was connected to the grid and commenced commercial operation on April 20, 2026.
The Taipingling nuclear power plant serves as a key pillar in Huizhou’s drive to build a multi-energy clean energy industrial cluster integrating wind, solar, nuclear, gas and storage. It is also a major force behind the city’s efforts to implement the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality strategy and promote high-quality clean energy development. As more units are successively commissioned and connected to the grid, the plant will provide robust support for Huizhou’s ambition to become a clean energy hub for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, further consolidate the Greater Bay Area’s medium- and long-term power supply security, accelerate Guangdong Province’s green and low-carbon energy transition, and deliver strong safeguards for high-quality regional economic and social development.
Reported by XIE Baoshu, DONG Huabo
