Friday, 24 July 2026

China General Nuclear has installed the reactor pressure vessel at unit 1 of the Lufeng nuclear power plant in China's Guangdong province.

The unit is one of four 1250 MWe CAP1000 reactors approved for the Lufeng site by China's National Development and Reform Commission in September 2014, according to World Nuclear News. The CAP1000 is the Chinese version of the Westinghouse AP1000.

Construction of units 1 and 2 did not receive State Council approval until August 2024. Both units are scheduled to begin operating in 2030.

Work is also under way on two further reactors at the site. World Nuclear News reported that first concrete was poured for unit 5 on 8 September 2022 and for unit 6 on 26 August 2023.

According to CGN, once all six units are in operation, the Lufeng plant will generate about 52 TWh, reducing standard coal consumption by almost 16 million tonnes and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 42 million tonnes.

A core catcher bound for the reactor that will become the eighth unit at Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant has reached the pier at Sosnovy Bor, ending a 2,000 kilometre boat trip, according to World Nuclear News.

The steel vessel spent 16 days in transit, routed through the River Volga, Lake Beloye, Lake Onega, Lake Ladoga, the River Neva and the Gulf of Finland before docking, World Nuclear News reported.

Director Vladimir Pereguda said crews aim to seat the core catcher in the reactor shaft two months earlier than planned. The schedule cited by World Nuclear News puts reactor vessel installation in 2029.

Construction reached first concrete for the eighth unit in March 2025, according to World Nuclear News.

The station carries an installed capacity of 4,400 MWe and covers more than 55% of electricity demand across St Petersburg and the Leningrad region, per World Nuclear News.