Technology is Chinese version of Westinghouse AP1000
Construction has started of the nuclear island for Unit 1 at the Xudabu nuclear power station in Liaoning Province, northeast China, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced.
The construction of units 1 and 2 at Xudabu – also known as Xudapu and Xudabao – station was approved by China’s State Council on 31 July.
CNNC said investment in the two-unit project will be about $6.6bn (€6bn). Total investment in six units planned for the site will be about $19.5bn, state media reported.
The start of construction at Unit 1 means, according to International Atomic Energy Agency data, that China has 23 nuclear plants under construction, the most in the world.
CNNC said it has 10 reactors being built in China with a combined generating capacity of 11.42 GW.
Xudabu-1 and -2 will both have 1,250 MW CAP1000 reactors, the Chinese version of the Westinghouse AP1000 pressurised water reactor unit.
There are already two Russia-supplied VVER-1200 PWR units under construction at Xudabu. Those units are Xudabu-3 and -4.
The Xudabu project will comprise six reactors, with Units 1 and 2 originally planned for the first phase.
However, a change in plans saw construction of Xudabu-3 and -4 begin in July 2021 and May 2022 respectively, before Units 1 and 2. Xudabu-3 and -4 are expected to be commissioned in 2027 and 2028.
The Xudabu station is owned by Liaoning Nuclear Power Company Ltd, in which CNNC holds a 70% stake with Datang International Power Generation Co holding 20% and State Development and Investment Corporation owning 10%. The general contractor is China Nuclear Power Engineering Company Ltd, a subsidiary of CNNC.
A ceremony was held to mark the start of construction of the nuclear island of Xudabu-1. Courtesy CNNC.
