goingcritical:changjiang-3China · Power reactor

Changjiang-3

Developer: China Huaneng / CNNC

Site: Changjiang, Hainan

Status: Fuel loaded — target criticality 2026 (confidence: low) target

Fuel loading completed 3 May 2026; WNN reports both Changjiang Phase II units scheduled to be fully operational in early 2027 — criticality target not separately stated

Details

DesignHPR-1000 (Hualong One)
Capacity1000 MWe

Milestone history

  1. Announced —
  2. Construction start March 31, 2021
  3. Fuel load April 30, 2026
  4. First criticality target 2026
  5. Grid connection —
  6. Commercial operation —

References

  1. IAEA PRIS, Changjiang-3
  2. WNN, Fuel loading begins at Changjiang 3
  3. WNN, Fuel loading completed at two new Chinese units (6 May 2026)