On April 20, the first Hualong One nuclear power unit in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)—Unit 1 of China General Nuclear Power Group's (CGN) Guangdong Taipingling Nuclear Power Project in Renping Peninsula, Huidong, Huizhou—officially commenced power generation and entered commercial operation. It is expected to generate more than 9 billion kWh of electricity annually, meeting the annual production and living needs of one million residents in GBA.
According to Zhang Guoqiang, Chairman of CGN Huizhou Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., Unit 1 had previously completed all performance tests and a 168-hour continuous full-power operation assessment. All operating parameters have remained stable and the unit is in good condition. The unit has achieved multiple key technological breakthroughs in independent innovation, covering areas such as localization of critical equipment, corrosion prevention technology, enhanced maintenance efficiency, and digital management.
According to statistics, Guangdong's total electricity consumption in 2025 reached 958.973 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 4.93%, ranking first in China. The Greater Bay Area has an urgent and sustained demand for a stable, clean and efficient energy supply. The commissioning of this nuclear power unit provides a firm baseload power source for the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area.
The Taipingling Nuclear Power Project plans to build six Hualong One units in three phases, with all work progressing steadily. Once all six units are completed, their total annual power generation is expected to exceed 55 billion kWh, equivalent to a reduction of about 16.65 million tons of standard coal consumption and about 50.82 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Author | Wu Tianyu, Liu Guangmingbao
Photo | CGN Guangdong Taipingling Nuclear Power Project
