The outer steel dome has been installed at unit 3 of China’s Changjiang NPP in Hainan province. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said the 415-tonne dome – measuring 53 metres in diameter and 13 metres in height – was lifted into place on top of the containment building 58.8 metres above the ground using a 3,200-tonne crane. The process took just under two hours.
The Hualong One reactor design features a double containment, the to ensure the integrity and leak tightness of the reactor building, and to prevent the escape of radioactive substances. The steel dome for the inner containment was installed in February 2023 and has since been concreted.
First concrete for the foundation plate of the unit 3 nuclear island was poured in March 2021, and for the unit 4 the following December. According to China Huaneng, total investment in the construction of the second phase of the Changjiang project (units 3&4) is estimated at CNY40bn ($6.4bn). The construction period is expected to take 60 months.
Changjiang NPP already hosts two operating CNP-600 pressurised water reactors (units 1&2), which are operated by the Hainan Nuclear Energy Company and began commercial operation in 2015 and 2016. In 2021, CNNC also began construction of its ACP100 small modular reactor at the site. The 125 MWe multi-purpose pressure water reactor (Linglong One) is designed for power production, heating, steam production and desalination of sea water.
CNNC said, as a major energy project in Hainan province, the Changjiang Nuclear Power Phase II Project is an important measure “to deeply integrate into the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port and actively promote the construction of Hainan Clean Energy Island”.
