China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has announced the successful completion of cold functional testing for Unit 3 at the Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant, a landmark achievement for the joint Chinese-Russian project. The test, completed on December 12, verifies the integrity and performance of the reactor’s primary systems under high pressure, clearing the way for the commissioning phase.
A major step forward has been achieved in one of the world’s most significant nuclear energy collaborations. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) confirmed that Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant’s Unit 3 has successfully passed its cold functional test, a rigorous “check-up” that moves the reactor from installation to active commissioning. This milestone, reached on December 12, underscores the advancing pace of nuclear power development in China through its partnership with Russian technology.
But what exactly does this “cold test” entail? It’s not about temperature, but about conditions. As CNNC explained, the cold functional test is the first comprehensive examination of the reactor and its primary loop equipment. It verifies the performance of these critical systems under cold, high-pressure conditions without nuclear fuel present.
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“The successful completion of this test fully demonstrates that the primary loop pressure boundary of unit 3… is intact and the equipment performance is reliable,” stated the corporation, reported World Nuclear News. This is a non-negotiable foundation for all future safe operation.
The Xudabao project is a cornerstone of Sino-Russian energy cooperation. The venture was set in motion by agreements signed in June 2018, which included plans to build two Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors at the new site. Following a general construction contract signed in June 2019, physical work began on Unit 3 in July 2021, with its sister Unit 4 following in May 2022. The project hit a visual milestone in July 2023 when the massive containment dome was hoisted into place on Unit 3’s reactor building.
Ownership of the plant reflects a major national energy strategy. The Xudabao plant is owned by Liaoning Nuclear Power Company Limited, a joint venture led by CNNC with a 70% stake. Partners Datang International Power Generation Company and State Development and Investment Corporation hold 20% and 10%, respectively. This structure pools expertise and investment for China’s ambitious clean energy goals.
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With cold testing now complete, the focus shifts to the next stages: hot functional testing and, eventually, fuel loading. The schedule aims for the commissioning of Unit 3 in 2027, with Unit 4 to follow in 2028. Each new reactor will add over 1,000 megawatts of reliable, low-carbon electricity to the grid, supporting regional economic development and China’s broader transition away from fossil fuels. For global observers, the progress at Xudabao signals not just a technical achievement, but the steady maturation of a strategic energy partnership that is reshaping the world’s nuclear landscape.
