A fuel cell power generation system suitable for powering an electric vehicle and which provides high degree of safety when restarting power generation. The system is small in size, light in weight and low in cost of power generation. Three-way valves are provided in an exhaust-passage extending from a fuel-reforming unit and in pipes connecting the fuel-reforming unit, a CO removal unit and a fuel cell and as a gas exhaust valve on an anode side exhaust passage extending from the fuel cell. Accordingly, upon shut down, after exhausting residual reformed gas, combustion exhaust gas from a combustion unit associated with the fuel reforming unit is passed through the respective units for purging the residual reformed gas.