2nd power generation unit of Zhangzhou nuclear power project begins commercial operation

The second power generation unit of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)'s Zhangzhou nuclear power project in east China's Fujian Province went into commercial operation on Thursday, marking full commissioning of the first phase of the project.

At 00:07, the second power generation unit of the project officially began commercial operation after undergoing 168 hours of full-power continuous operation assessment.

"Construction of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project marks the beginning of mass installation of 'Hualong One' nuclear reactors. The entry into operation of the second power generation unit of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project marks the full commissioning of the first phase of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project," said Wu Yuanming, chairman of CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company.

"Hualong One" is China's domestically developed third-generation nuclear reactor. The technology is considered vital in the country's pursuit of improving its energy mix and meeting its dual carbon targets of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

The Zhangzhou nuclear power project is designed to have six "Hualong One" nuclear power units, each of which can produce about 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

With the full commissioning of the two units in the first phase of the project, the Zhangzhou nuclear power project can generate some 20 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which is the equivalent of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 16 million tons annually.

"Once its construction is fully completed, the base is expected to provide approximately 60 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, which is of great significance to optimizing the energy structure and promoting realization of 'dual carbon' goals of China. During the construction of the first phase of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project, we accumulated a wealth of experience in the mass installation and operation of 'Hualong One' nuclear reactors. By fully utilizing the experience to continuously optimize and upgrade our facilities, we are working in a safe, high-quality manner to make each unit better than the last for the second phase of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project," Wu said.

As the first phase of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project has been completed, construction is in full swing for the second phase.

Experts said that once all six planned units become operational, the project can generate 60 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

"The power generated by the Zhangzhou nuclear power project is mainly supplied to the State Grid, and then delivered from the State Grid to homes. Each unit can produce enough electricity to meet the annual production and living needs of one million people," said Yang Yahui, a senior engineer of CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company.

"The Zhangzhou nuclear power project is adjacent to Guangdong Province neighboring Fujian. With the commissioning of the Fujian-Guangdong power grid interconnection project, the Zhangzhou nuclear power project will also become capable of transmitting clean energy to Guangdong. In addition, the 'Hualong One' nuclear reactors can not only generate electricity, but also provide zero-carbon steam to the nearby Gulei Petrochemical Base, providing energy security for green development of the petrochemical industry," said the engineer.

2nd power generation unit of Zhangzhou nuclear power project begins commercial operation

The airstrike conducted by Saudi-led coalition targeting the port of Mukalla in Yemen's oil-rich Hadramout province early Tuesday morning has caused severe damage to nearby residential buildings and left locals terrified.

According to the coalition, the strike targeted weapons and combat vehicles allegedly unloaded at the port from two unauthorized ships that arrived from the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the weekend.

Coalition spokesman Turki Al Maliki said the vessels had disabled their tracking systems and delivered a large cache of arms intended to bolster the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen's Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces, a move he described as a "clear violation" of the UN Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015.

He said the operation was conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules, ensuring that no collateral damage occurred.

However, local residents offered a different account, describing scenes of chaos and destruction in the pre-dawn hours following the strike.

"As you can see, this is the severe damage that occurred to our home as a result of the airstrike that targeted the Mukalla port, specifically military vehicles that were next to the house, about 20 to 40 meters away. At exactly 04:30, the location was targeted with a surprise airstrike, and we were shocked by the sudden violent explosions," said Salem Ali Al-Haj Zaid, a local resident.

Another resident, Um Ali, described the psychological toll on children.

"The children kept crying from the time of the strike until morning. Poor things, they were shocked, scared and unable to sleep again," said Ali.

The strike hit especially hard for Um Mohammed, a widow living on the top floor of a residential building near the port.

"We were terrified. My mother is old. The most damage was to the floor of the building where I live, and I am a widow. Who will compensate us for this?" said Mohammed.

The reported attacks come amid heightened military escalation in Hadramout, where Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have warned of possible military action following the STC's refusal to withdraw its forces from the governorate.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition called on all civilians to immediately evacuate the port of Mukalla to ensure their safety, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA.

Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout governorate, is a key port city on Yemen's southeastern coast, with strategic and economic value.

Saudi-led airstrike on Yemen's Mukalla port damages homes, sparking fear among locals