At 17:15 Beijing time on September 7, 2019, Guangdong TSNP Unit 2 successfully completed 168H Demonstration Run and became eligible for commercial operation. It is the second EPR Unit put into commercial operation in the world, after TSNP Unit 1.
The TSNP phase one is the largest-ever cooperative project between China and France in the field of energy in China, built and operated by Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Co., Ltd, As TSNP Unit 1 and Unit 2 put into operation, it is expected that around 8.03 million tons of standard coal consumption and over 21.09 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced annually. It is equivalent of planting 5,850 hectares of forest.
Taishan nuclear power project phase one adopts the third generation nuclear power technology (EPR), consists of two units with an installed capacity of 1750 MW each. EPR is the third generation nuclear power technology jointly developed by EDF and Framatome, the recently established subsidiary of EDF. The technology has benefited from the global operational experience and technical progress of the pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power units over the past 40 years. The major technology has endured testing on the currently operational 357 PWR nuclear power units. It not only meets the European Utility Requirements and the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency, but is also complies with Chinese regulations on nuclear safety. Its safety features have been promoted further.
Taishan Unit 1, the construction of which started in 2009, was put into commercial operation on December 13, 2018 and became the first EPR Unit in operation in the world. Taishan Unit 2 started its construction in 2010 and fully absorbed the construction experience and feedback of Taishan Unit 1. It began fuel loading on April 12, 2019 and was connected to the grid on June 23, 2019, became eligible for commercial operation on September 7.
It is worth mentioning that Taishan Unit 1 and Unit 2 were respectively the third and fourth EPR reactors being built worldwide, benefited from continuous experience in nuclear power construction and operation in the last 30 years, the long-standing strategic partnership between China and France in the field of nuclear power, and the participation of experienced and capable professional company worldwide in the field of nuclear power. High-level coordination mechanism was established with 9 main constructors to promote the building of Taishan nuclear power project and absorb the experience of the two precedent EPR projects in Europe. The construction of Taishan Unit 1 and Unit 2 are progressed in order and finally became the world’s first and second EPR reactor in operation.
This year marked the 40th anniversary of Sino-French relationship. The introduction of EPR technology in the construction of the Taishan NPP was an important decision by the Chinese government based on the national energy strategy, and became a milestone in Sino-French energy cooperation. Heads of the two countries witnessed the signing of the cooperation agreement of Taishan EPR project on November 26, 2007. On January 9, 2018, in the great hall of the people, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Macron unveiled for Taishan Unit 1 as the First EPR Reactor in the World.
As the largest-ever cooperative project between China and France in the field of energy in China, the construction of Taishan nuclear power station is of positive significance for the development of nuclear power both in China and France. The two units of TSNP phase one involved the mode of Sino-foreign cooperation, joint design and joint construction, which effectively promoted the cooperation between China and France in the field of Gen-III nuclear power technology, and the manufacturing industry of nuclear power equipment in China and France.
