Construction has begun on two new nuclear power reactors in China, bringing the number of plants under construction in the country to 30 as it seeks to reduce its reliance on coal by approving six to eight new nuclear units a year.

The pouring of first concrete has been announced for Unit 5 at the Ningde nuclear power station in Fujian Province, southeastern China, and a new unit at the Shidaowan nuclear station (also known as Shidao Bay) site in Shandong Province, eastern China

The first concrete pour for the nuclear island of Ningde-5 began at 11:00 local time on 28 July, according to China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), which is building the plant.

Power utility China Huaneng also announced that first concrete had been poured for the nuclear island at the new Shidaowan plant on 28 July.

The concrete pour means China now has 30 commercial nuclear power plants under construction.