Unit could begin commercial operation in 2027
The outer steel dome has been installed at Unit 3 of the Changjiang nuclear power station in Hainan province, southern China, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has said.
The dome – measuring 53 metres in diameter, 13 metres in height and weighing about 415 tonnes – was lifted into place on top of the containment building using a 3,200-tonne crane. The process took just under two hours.
In February 2023, the steel dome for Changjiang-3’s inner containment was raised by crane and placed on top of the walls of the double containment structure. The inner containment dome has since been concreted.
CNNC said the installation of the outer dome at Chiangjiang-3 marks the completion of the construction of the main structure of the unit and lays a solid foundation for the subsequent installation, cold test and grid-connected power generation.
There are two Hualong one, or HPR1000 plants under construction at Changjiang, in the island province of Hainan. Construction of Chiangjiang-3 began in March 2021 and of Changjiang-4 in December 2021.
According to CNNC they are scheduled to be fully operational in 2027.
The Changjiang nuclear site is already home to two operating CNP-600 pressurised water reactors (PWRs) – Changjiang 1 and 2 – which began commercial operation in 2015 and 2016.
In 2021, CNNC also began construction of a demonstration ACP100 small modular reactor at the site. The 125 MW PWR, also referred to as the Linglong One, is designed for electricity production, heating, steam production or seawater desalination.
There are two Hualong one, or HPR1000 plants under construction at Changjiang. Courtesy CNNC.
