China Approves Reactor Vessel Installation at Lianjiang Nuclear Power Unit 2

The reactor vessel has been installed at Lianjiang Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 in China's Guangdong province, marking a significant construction milestone for one of China's newest nuclear facilities.

The Milestone

• Plant: Lianjiang Nuclear Power Plant
• Unit: Unit 2
• Component: Reactor pressure vessel (RPV)
• Location: Guangdong Province, China
• Developer: China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN)

Lianjiang Nuclear Power Plant

Hualong One Technology

The HPR1000 is China's domestically developed Generation III+ pressurized water reactor:

• Design: Joint development by CNNC and CGN
• Safety: Passive safety systems, double containment
• Power: ~1,200 MWe per unit
• Fuel cycle: 18-24 month refueling
• Design life: 60 years

China's Nuclear Ambitions

China has the world's most ambitious nuclear construction program:

• Currently building: ~25 reactors
• Operating: ~56 reactors
• Target: 150 GW nuclear capacity by 2035
• Export ambitions: Selling Hualong One to Pakistan, Argentina

Strategic Significance

Nuclear power plays a critical role in China's energy strategy:

• Clean baseload — replacing coal for grid stability
• Energy security — reducing import dependency
• Industrial capability — domestic reactor design and construction
• Climate commitments — carbon neutrality by 2060

The Lianjiang reactor vessel installation puts the plant on track for commissioning in the coming years, adding to China's rapidly growing nuclear fleet.