Unit 1 at Fangchenggang NPP records 1,000 days of safe operations

Unit 1 of Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has enjoyed 1,000 days of continuous operations without unplanned shutdowns or safety issues as of May 29, its owner China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) announced.

Consecutive days of safe operations without unplanned shutdowns are one of the key indicators that demonstrate the sound management of a power plant.

The reactor started fuel loading on Sept 2, 2015 and was connected to the power grid on Oct 25 the same year –– it has recorded safe and steady operations since it began commercial operations on Jan 1, 2016, said Chen Jian, general manager of Guangxi Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Co -- a CGN subsidiary.

This achievement can be attributed to the company’s adherence to its core value of “Doing things right in one go” and the basic principle of “Safety First, Quality Foremost, Pursuing Excellence”.

At the same time, the company continues to promote nuclear safety culture among its employees.

It has also been reported that the company has performed well in various safety and operations competitions. Many of its management practices are now widely applied in the industry.

Unit 1 is ranked at the global advanced level (top quartile) in performance indicators, according to Zhou Jianping, deputy general manager of Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Co.

According to the World Association of Nuclear Operators, of the 24 performance indicators for this unit for the consecutive years of 2016 and 2017 –– 18 ranked in the global top quartile.

By the end of 2017, Fangchenggang NPP Unit 1 has become the first among 20 units in operation owned by CGN Power Co, with all of its 12 indicators entering the global top quartile.

Fangchenggang NPP is one of the 23 major projects to promote the large-scale development of China’s western region as well a key project in the in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

At present, Fangchenggang NPP Phase I has two units in commercial operation, which annually provide 15 TWh of safe, clean and economical electricity to Beibu Gulf Economic Area.

Another two units for the project’s second phase –– using domestically-developed Hualong One nuclear technology –– are under construction, two of which will generate electricity of 16.5 TWh per year once completed.

The environmental effect of this is equivalent to planting around 40,000 hectares of forest.

The Chinese nuclear giant will continue to actively develop green technologies and play its part in controlling air pollution, helping achieve China’s goal of controlling greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment.