Beijing also announces construction progress at Jinqimen-1
The inner steel dome of the containment building has been installed for Unit 5 of the Ningde nuclear power station in Fujian province in the southeast of China, reports said.
The official China National Nuclear Power News Network (CNNPN) said the operation marks the transition from civil construction to equipment installation.
Construction of Ningde-5, a domestic 1,200-MW Hualong One pressurised water reactor unit, began in July 2024.
The dome forms part of the reactor’s double containment building, which consists of inner and other shells made of steel and concrete. The containment is designed to protect the reactor from external effects and withstand high external and internal pressures and protect against radiation release.
Ningde already has four 1,018-MW CPR-1000 PWR units, which began commercial operation between April 2013 and July 2016.
At another plant, Jinqimen-1 in Zhejiang province in the east of the country, China has installed the third ring of the steel containment building lining, CNNPN said.
Construction of the unit, also a 1,200-MW Hualong One, began in August 2025. China’s National Nuclear Safety Administration issued a construction licence for Units 1 and 2 at Jinqimen in February 2025.
The new facility will be the fourth commercial nuclear station in Zhejiang province. The others are Qinshan, Sanao and Fangjiashan.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s database of nuclear plants in China says China has 60 plants in commercial operation and 35 under construction, but the actual number is 37 including the recent Taipingling-4 and Jinqimen-2.
The third ring of the steel containment building lining was installed at Jinqimen-1. Courtesy CNNPN.
