An aerial view of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Unit 2 of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant has entered commercial operation following a 168-hour trial run. The project, managed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), marks a significant expansion of clean energy capacity on China's southeastern coast.

The launch comes just one week after Unit 1 surpassed 10 billion kilowatt-hours in annual power generation. With both units now online, the first phase of the project is fully operational.

The city's expansion into renewables is driven by its geography: an extensive coastline and vast offshore waters provide the footprint for large-scale projects, and a unique wind acceleration effect creates a high-yield environment for turbine deployment.

Building on these assets, Zhangzhou is developing an integrated energy hub spanning nuclear, wind, and solar power, as well as hydrogen and energy storage. The goal is to create a diversified grid capable of delivering a stable, low-carbon power supply.

To stabilize the grid, Zhangzhou is fast-tracking large-scale storage, with the Yunxiao and Hua'an pumped storage stations now under construction. This infrastructure buildup has spurred an industrial cluster, attracting leading equipment manufacturers to specialized parks in Zhangpu and Dongshan counties.

The sector's economic impact is surging. From January to November 2025, the value added of Zhangzhou's new energy industry increased by 55.2 percent, with clean energy now accounting for 55.1 percent of the city's total installed capacity. During this period, the city generated 40.82 billion kilowatt-hours, exceeding local demand by 3.46 billion kilowatt-hours.