Unit 3 of the Phase II Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant, Hainan's first Hualong One nuclear power project, was connected to the grid on Saturday, a major step forward in advancing domestically-led nuclear power design and homegrown equipment manufacturing.

Developed by China Huaneng Group, the project plans two 1.2-million-kilowatt nuclear generating units equipped with Hualong One, China's home-grown third-generation pressurized water reactor technology. The project advances full independence in nuclear power design and domestic manufacturing of key equipment, it said.

Upon full completion, the two units can produce 18 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, it added.

The clean power output will help save more than 6.32 million metric tons of standard coal each year and cut carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 11.6 million metric tons.

The nuclear complex will deliver secure, clean and efficient energy support for the Hainan Free Trade Port development, contributing to China's dual-carbon goals of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.