China has poured first concrete for two new nuclear power plants as it pushes ahead with ambitious plans to reach 70 GW of installed reactor capacity – up from around 55 GW today – by 2025 under Beijing’ 14th Five-Year Plan.

The China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA) said first concrete had been poured marking the formal start of construction at Unit 1 of the Zhaoyuan nuclear power station in Shandong province, northeastern China.

First concrete has also been poured for Unit 3 at the Sanao nuclear power station in Zhejiang province, eastern China.