Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 30, Excavation has begun for the foundation of the second CAP1000 pressurized water reactor at the Bailong nuclear power plant in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The work on Bailong 2 started on 28 September, according to Guangxi Nuclear Power Company Ltd, a subsidiary of State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC).

Phase I of the Bailong plant, consisting of units 1 and 2, was included in the approval of 11 new reactors granted by China’s State Council in August last year. The planned investment for the two CAP1000 units—China’s version of the Westinghouse AP1000—is around CNY 40 billion (USD 5.6 billion), with an expected construction period of 56 months.

Excavation for unit 1 began on 30 December, involving about 66,000 cubic meters of earth. The foundation pit is planned to reach a depth of 12.2 meters and cover approximately 3,000 square meters. Both unit foundation pits use a “vertical slope construction technique with support first and excavation later”, according to Guangxi Nuclear Power.

The company said: “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of all builders, unit 1 is steadily progressing toward achieving its high-quality FCD [first concrete pouring] goals. During the initial phase of the excavation for unit 2, the company, in collaboration with all participating units, fully incorporated feedback from the unit excavation, systematically reviewed prerequisites, optimised construction techniques, and completed the construction of the foundation pit retaining structure cast-in-place piles and crown beams on schedule, laying a solid foundation for the smooth progress of the unit 2 nuclear island excavation.”

Once units 1 and 2 are operational, Bailong’s annual power generation is expected to reach about 20 billion kilowatt-hours, Guangxi Nuclear Power said. This output could reduce standard coal consumption by approximately 6 million tonnes and cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 16 million tonnes annually.

In later phases, the site will host four additional CAP1400 reactors, significantly expanding the plant’s capacity. The Bailong site is located about 24 kilometers from the Vietnam border and roughly 30 kilometers southwest of China General Nuclear’s Fangchenggang nuclear power plant.

The construction of Bailong reflects ongoing investment in advanced domestic nuclear technology, with the CAP1000 units combining safety features from the AP1000 design with enhancements developed in China. The project also emphasizes efficient construction methods, environmental benefits, and long-term contributions to China’s low-carbon energy transition.