SHENZHEN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A new nuclear power unit using Hualong One, a domestically designed third-generation nuclear reactor, began commercial operation on Monday in south China's Guangdong Province, according to China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN).

The commissioning of the No.2 unit marks the completion and full operation of the first-phase project of the Taipingling nuclear power plant, the first nuclear project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to deploy Hualong One technology. The No.1 unit of this project became operational in April this year.

Located in Huidong County in the city of Huizhou, the project plans to have six Hualong One units in total. The two units in the first phase were approved in April 2019, with construction of the No.2 unit starting in October 2020.

The two units are expected to generate over 18 billion kilowatt-hours annually, enough to provide power for nearly 2 million people, and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 16.63 million tonnes per year, according to Zhang Guoqiang, chairman of CGN Huizhou Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.

The Hualong One reactor meets the highest global safety standards and represents a major milestone in the country's innovative nuclear power development.

Experts believe that the completion of the first-phase project of the Taipingling nuclear power plant is an important step in strengthening the clean energy supply capacity of the Greater Bay Area and advancing China's dual carbon goals.

China aims to basically establish a clean, low-carbon, secure and efficient new energy system by 2030, according to a five-year plan recently issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration.

The plan calls for developing nuclear power in a proactive and orderly manner while prioritizing safety, targeting roughly 110 gigawatts of installed nuclear capacity in operation by 2030.

By the end of 2025, China had 112 nuclear power units in operation, under construction, or approved for construction. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the number of commercially operational nuclear power units is expected to exceed 100.  ■