Lufeng NPPFirst concrete has been poured for the nuclear island of unit 5 at China’s Lufeng NPP in Guangdong province, China General Nuclear (CGN) has announced in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This signalled the official start of construction of the first of two 1,200MWe HPR1000 (Hualong One) pressurised water reactors planned for units 5&6 at the site, which is also expected to host four CAP1000 reactors. The CAP1000 design is China’s adaptation of the Westinghouse AP1000.

China’s State Council in April approved the construction of Hualong One reactors for Lufeng 5&6, as well as CAP1000 reactors for 3&4 of China National Nuclear Corporation's Sanmen NPP and units 3&4 of State Power Investment Corporation's Haiyang NPP. Construction began of Sanmen 3 in June and of Haiyang 3 in July.

The the National Development and Reform Commission has approved the planned construction of four CAP1000 units at Lufeng 1-4 but State Council approval is still awaited, although it was given for Lufeng 5&6. 

CGN noted that, with the start of construction of Lufeng 5&6 the company has seven nuclear units under construction managed by the company with a total installed capacity of 8,380MWe.

Image: Artist's impression of the Lufeng site in China (courtesy of CGN)