Unit 1 of the Taipingling nuclear power plant in China’s southern Guangdong province has reached first criticality, according to the power plant’s owner, China General Nuclear (CGN) (China Nuclear Energy Association press release, 04/02/2026).
CGN said that first criticality of the 1.1 GW domestically developed Hualong One pressurised water reactor (PWR) was achieved on 3 February 2026. Construction of Taipingling-1 began in December 2019. Nuclear fuel was loaded into the reactor core in January 2026, following the granting of an operating license in December 2025.
The Taipingling nuclear power plant will ultimately comprise six Hualong One reactors. Construction of the first and second units began in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Once completed, the Taipingling nuclear plant will have a total capacity of 7.2 GW and will generate approximately 53 TWh/year of electricity.
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