Wedoany.com Report-Dec.17, The nuclear island construction for unit 6 at the Ningde nuclear power plant in Fujian province, China, has officially begun with the pouring of first concrete.

This milestone follows the approval granted by China's State Council on July 31, 2023, for units 5 and 6 at the site. First concrete for unit 5's nuclear island was placed on July 28, 2024.

China General Nuclear (CGN) described the event as marking "the commencement date of construction in full-scale of Ningde unit 6 and the start of the civil construction phase".

The existing Ningde facility operates four CPR-1000 reactors, each with 1,018 megawatts electric capacity, which entered commercial service between April 2013 and July 2016.

Units 5 and 6 incorporate HPR1000 pressurized water reactor design, providing 1,210 megawatts electric per unit.

Unit 5 is projected to commence operations in 2029, followed by unit 6 in 2030.

CGN oversees a portfolio of 20 nuclear generating units under development. Of these, four are undergoing commissioning, two are in equipment installation, four are advancing through civil works, and ten await initial concrete placement.

The HPR1000 technology represents an indigenous advanced reactor design focused on enhanced safety features and operational efficiency.

Pouring first concrete signifies the transition to major structural buildup of the nuclear island, encompassing containment and key safety systems.

This step involves precise placement of basemat concrete to establish a stable foundation for reactor components.

Subsequent phases will include installation of containment liner, structural modules, and internal fittings.

The phased expansion at Ningde builds on the site's established infrastructure and operational experience with earlier units.

CGN's broad construction pipeline demonstrates sustained commitment to expanding nuclear capacity through domestically developed technology.

Each HPR1000 unit contributes substantial baseload electricity, supporting grid reliability with low-carbon generation.

Project timelines reflect coordinated planning across design, procurement, and execution stages.

The ongoing developments at Ningde align with broader efforts to increase installed nuclear power in coastal provinces with suitable conditions.

Units 5 and 6 will augment the plant's total output, providing additional clean energy to regional networks.

Safety protocols during concrete pouring ensure quality and integrity of critical structures.

CGN's management of multiple simultaneous builds leverages standardized designs for efficiency gains.

The portfolio distribution across stages indicates balanced progression, mitigating risks through diversified timelines.

As units advance toward operation, they incorporate lessons from preceding reactors to refine performance.

Ningde's location in Fujian facilitates power distribution to high-demand eastern areas.

Overall, the start of nuclear island construction for unit 6 advances the site's evolution into a larger multi-unit complex utilizing modern reactor technology.