San'ao Nuclear Plant Unit 1 Reaches First Criticality

Unit 1 achieved sustained chain reaction on 14 Feb 2026, entering power‑operation mode. At 12:21 pm local time on 13 Feb the first criticality control point was released, and at 3:08 am on 14 Feb the reactor reached criticality, marking a key step toward grid connection and power generation [1].

Six Hualong One reactors are planned for the Zhejiang site, with units 1‑2 approved in 2020. The State Council approved units 1‑2 in September 2020, the NNSA issued construction permits on 30 Dec 2020, concrete for unit 1 was poured 31 Dec 2020 and for unit 2 on 30 Dec 2021; the first two units are slated to supply electricity in 2026 and 2027 respectively [1].

San'ao is the first Yangtze River Delta project to use the Hualong One design. The plant will become the region’s inaugural nuclear facility employing the domestically developed HPR1000 reactor, with a total of six units envisaged [1].

Projected output will exceed 54 TWh annually, cutting coal and CO₂ dramatically. Completion is expected to deliver over 54 terawatt‑hours of electricity each year, avoid more than 16 million tonnes of standard coal consumption and reduce carbon‑dioxide emissions by over 51 million tonnes per year [1].

Private capital enters Chinese nuclear for the first time via Geely’s 2 % stake. The San'ao project marks the inaugural involvement of private investors in a Chinese nuclear venture; Geely Technology Group holds a 2 % share, CGN owns 46 % of the project company Cangnan Nuclear Power, with the remainder held by other state‑owned enterprises [1].

The plant is situated in Zhejiang province, serving the broader Yangtze River Delta region. Its location positions it to supply power to a densely populated and industrially significant area of eastern China [1].