The second heavy-water reactor generating unit at the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in east China's Zhejiang Province went into commercial power generation early Thursday morning.

"The generating unit began commercial operation 112 days ahead of schedule," said Kang Rixin, general manager of the Qinshan Third-Phase Nuclear Power Plant Co. Ltd, adding that the third-phase plant has since been put into full operation.

The third phase of the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant located in Haiyan County, the first commercial heavy-water nuclear reactor project with two steam turbines, is also the largest project financed jointly by China and Canada.

The reactors, with a lifespan of 40 years, are expected to produce about 10 billion kwh of electricity each year after both generating units are operational.

The first such generating unit has been safely operating at full capacity since late December of 2002 when it began commercial power generation.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2003)