Construction of Units 3 and 4 at site began in 2024
China has announced construction progress at its Zhangzhou-3 and -4 nuclear power units under construction in Fujian province, in the east of the country.
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said the second steel liner ring of the inner steel containment has been installed at Zhangzhou-4, while a fifth liner ring has been lifted into place at Zhangzhou-3.
Both units are of the domestic Hualong One, or HPR1000, pressurised water reactor (PWR) design.
Construction of Zhangzhou-3 began in February 2024 and of Zhangzhou-4 in September 2024.
At a nuclear power reactor, the inner containment acts as a hermetic protection system, designed to withstand high external and internal pressures and protect against radiation release. It consists of several steel rings and a steel dome welded together.
CNNC said a single steel liner ring has a diameter of 46.8 metres and weight of about 140 tonnes.
The state-owned company said the operations have “laid the foundations for subsequent steel liner module construction and main equipment installation”.
There are two other Hualong One PWR units at the Zhangzhou nuclear power station. Zhangzhou-1 began commercial operation in January 2025, while workers capped the containment building at Zhangzhou-2 in November 2024.
According to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) data, there are 18 Hualong One units either under construction or in operation in China.
Outside China, construction has begun in Pakistan of a Hualong One at the Chasnupp-5 nuclear power plant. A version of the Hualong One also operates commercially at Pakistan’s Kanupp-2 and -3 nuclear plants.
According to the IAEA, China has 57 nuclear units in commercial operation and 28 under construction.
