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Lufeng Unit 6 Pressure Vessel Installation Marks New Phase in China’s Nuclear Expansion

Updated (3 articles)

Lufeng Unit 6 Pressure Vessel Installation Starts Main Island Work The reactor pressure vessel for Lufeng Unit 6 was lifted onto its heavy‑duty trolley at 08:07 local time on 21 February and precisely positioned by 09:12, marking the official start of installing the first major equipment of the unit’s nuclear island [1]. The high‑strength steel cylinder will house the core, internals, coolant flow path and control‑rod mechanisms, and CGN notes that installation quality directly affects long‑term plant safety [1]. Units 5‑6 are HPR1000 reactors approved in April 2022, with concrete poured for unit 5 on 8 September 2022 and for unit 6 on 26 August 2023 [1]. Grid connection is slated for 2028 for unit 5 and 2029 for unit 6 [1].

San'ao Unit 1 Achieves First Criticality, Advancing Hualong One San'ao Unit 1 released its first criticality control point at 12:21 pm on 13 February and reached sustained chain reaction at 03:08 am on 14 February [2]. It is the first Yangtze River Delta project to use the domestically developed HPR1000 design, with six reactors planned for the Zhejiang site [2]. Units 1‑2 were approved in September 2020, construction permits issued on 30 December 2020, and concrete poured for unit 1 on 31 December 2020 and unit 2 on 30 December 2021 [2]. The plant is projected to generate over 54 TWh annually, avoiding more than 16 million tonnes of coal and cutting CO₂ emissions by over 51 million tonnes each year [2]. Private capital entered Chinese nuclear for the first time through Geely Technology Group’s 2 % stake, while CGN holds 46 % of the project company [2].

Taipingling Unit 1 Connects to Grid, Begins Power Supply Taipingling Unit 1 was successfully connected to the grid and generated its first kilowatt‑hour of electricity on 13 February [3]. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued an operating licence on 24 December 2025 and approved loading of 177 fuel assemblies the same day, with first criticality achieved on 3 February 2026 [3]. The 1116 MWe pressurised water reactor is expected to produce about 8.1 billion kWh per year, avoiding roughly 2.45 million tonnes of coal and 7.48 million tonnes of CO₂ in the Greater Bay Area [3]. Construction of the six‑reactor plant exceeds CNY 120 billion, with units 1 and 2 completed and unit 3 under construction after State Council approval in December 2023 [3].

China’s Nuclear Expansion Targets 2028‑2029 Grid Connections and Emissions Cuts Across the three sites, China plans to bring six HPR1000 reactors online by the late 2020s, with Lufeng’s units 5‑6 slated for 2028‑2029, San'ao’s first two units expected to supply power in 2026‑2027, and Taipingling’s unit 1 moving toward commercial operation after 2026 commissioning tests [1][2][3]. Combined projected annual output exceeds 110 TWh, delivering 52 TWh from Lufeng, more than 54 TWh from San'ao, and 8.1 TWh from Taipingling [1][2][3]. The projects together aim to cut standard coal consumption by roughly 34 million tonnes and reduce CO₂ emissions by over 100 million tonnes per year [1][2][3]. State Council approvals in 2022, 2024, and 2023 underpin the expansion, while private investment appears only at San'ao [2].

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Timeline

Sep 2014 – The State Council initially approves the 1250 MWe CAP1000 design, laying groundwork for future reactors at Lufeng despite later delays in unit sign‑offs[1].

2019 – 2020 – China General Nuclear (CGN) begins construction of Taipingling Units 1 and 2, marking the first Hualong One reactors at the Guangdong site[2].

Sep 2020 – The State Council approves San'ao Units 1‑2, the first Yangtze River Delta project to use the domestically developed HPR1000 (Hualong One) design[3].

30 Dec 2020 – The National Nuclear Safety Administration issues construction permits for San'ao Units 1‑2, enabling concrete pours to start[3].

31 Dec 2020 & 30 Dec 2021 – Concrete is poured for San'ao Unit 1 and Unit 2 respectively, establishing the physical foundations of the six‑reactor plant[3].

Apr 2022 – The State Council formally approves the HPR1000 reactors for Lufeng Units 5‑6, expanding the site’s nuclear portfolio[1].

8 Sept 2022 – First concrete for Lufeng Unit 5 is poured, beginning the civil works for the first HPR1000 unit at the Guangdong plant[1].

26 Aug 2023 – Concrete for Lufeng Unit 6 is poured, completing the major structural phase for the second HPR1000 unit[1].

Dec 2023 – The State Council approves Taipingling Units 3‑4, extending the Guangdong plant toward its six‑reactor plan[2].

June 2025 – Construction of Taipingling Unit 3 commences, marking the start of the second phase at the site[2].

24 Feb 2025 – Safety‑related concrete is poured for CAP1000 Unit 1 at Lufeng, advancing the four‑reactor expansion plan[1].

Dec 2025 – Safety concrete is poured for CAP1000 Unit 2, completing the initial civil works for the first two CAP1000 units[1].

24 Dec 2025 – The Ministry of Ecology and Environment grants an operating licence to Taipingling Unit 1 and the NNSA approves loading of 177 fuel assemblies, preparing the reactor for startup[2].

3 Feb 2026 – Taipingling Unit 1 reaches first criticality, confirming the reactor’s ability to sustain a chain reaction[2].

13 Feb 2026 – Taipingling Unit 1 “successfully connects to the grid and generates its first kilowatt‑hour of electricity,” delivering clean power to the Greater Bay Area[2].

13 Feb 2026 – San'ao Unit 1 releases its first criticality control point at 12:21 pm, a key safety milestone before full power operation[3].

14 Feb 2026 – San'ao Unit 1 achieves sustained criticality at 3:08 am, moving toward grid connection and power generation[3].

21 Feb 2026 – The reactor pressure vessel for Lufeng Unit 6 is hoisted onto its trolley at 08:07 and positioned by 09:12, officially starting main‑island installation of the first major equipment for the unit[1].

First half 2026 – Taipingling Unit 1 is scheduled to complete a 168‑hour test, a prerequisite for commercial operation later in the year[2].

2026 – 2027 – San'ao Unit 1 is slated to begin electricity supply in 2026, with Unit 2 following in 2027, delivering over 54 TWh annually and cutting coal use by more than 16 Mt and CO₂ by over 51 Mt each year[3].

2028 – 2029 – Lufeng Units 5 and 6 are projected to achieve grid connection in 2028 and 2029 respectively, contributing ~52 TWh of clean electricity and reducing coal consumption by ~16 Mt and CO₂ emissions by >42 Mt[1].