The second generator of the third phase of the Qinshan nuclear power plant in Haiyan County, East China's Zhejiang Province, went into operation Thursday morning, 91 days ahead of schedule.

The third phase of the plant, China's first commercial heavy-water nuclear reactor project with two steam turbines, is also the largest project jointly financed by China and Canada.

Kang Rixin, general manager of the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Co, said: "This has marked another milestone in the development of the country's nuclear-power technology. It also bore witness to successful cooperation in the field of the peaceful use of nuclear power between the two countries."

The third phase was launched in June 1998 and was designed to involve the setting-up of two generators. The first of the generators has been safely operating at full capacity since last December.

The two generators have a capacity of 728,000 kilowatts each. The reactors were made in China using technology imported from Canada.

With a lifespan of 40 years, they are expected to produce about 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year to relieve some of the huge demand in East China.

(China Daily June 13, 2003)