China-France JV's nuclear power unit ready for commercial use

SHENZHEN -- A third-generation nuclear power unit of a China-France joint venture in South China's Guangdong province has completed all the testing operations and is ready for commercial use, according to a statement from China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC) late Thursday.

The largest Sino-French project in the energy field, the Taishan nuclear power plant uses the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) for its No 1 and No 2 power units.

As the world's first third-generation EPR nuclear power unit, the No 1 unit can be put into commercial operation after the plant gets the necessary electric power business licenses. The power plant is run by a joint venture set up by CGNPC, French energy supplier Electricite de France (EDF), and Guangdong Yudean Group. The power plant began construction of the reactor for the No 1 power unit in 2009 and another reactor for the No 2 power unit in 2010.

The No 1 power unit was linked to the grid on June 29. The EPR technology used in the Taishan reactors is third-generation nuclear power technology jointly developed by EDF and Framatome.