(Yicai Global) Nov. 27 -- China's first third-generation reactor, developed independently by domestic companies, has started generating energy for the first time in southeastern China today.

The homegrown pressurized water reactor, Hualong-1, has been put into operation in Fuqing Unit 5 after more than five years of preparation, China National Nuclear said in a statement.

Two state-backed energy giants, including China General Nuclear Power, developed Hualong-1 with exporting aspirations. The technology was given the green light to enter Europe earlier this month. Its use is already planned in countries including the UK, and Pakistan.

Hualong-1's design service life is 60 years and the technology meets the highest security standards, the project developer added.

The Fuqing plant already has four second-generation reactors, each with an output of 1,000 megawatts. A sixth reactor, also a Hualong-1, is expected to be added next year. After that, the plant's annual output should rise to over 50 million MW.

Editor: Emmi Laine