Fuel Assemblies for World's First Hualong One Reactor Ship Out

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) began shipping China-made fuel assemblies for the Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant, the world's first HPR1000 (Hualong One) nuclear reactor, on Sept 10. The assemblies first had to pass inspection.

Construction of the world's first HPR1000 nuclear reactor is progressing on schedule.

The fuel assembly shipment marks that CNNC is now capable of mass producing fuel assemblies for the HPR1000 reactors. The achievement will facilitate export of the HPR1000 technology to other countries.

Fuel assemblies are the core of a nuclear reactor. They are essential to the safety, reliability, and efficiency of a nuclear power plant.

The HPR1000 reactor has a 60-year lifespan and its reactor core needs refueling every 18 months, meaning the fuel assemblies had to be made to a very high standard.

(Executive editor: Zhang Tianyuan)