The nuclear island installation phase for Unit 5 of the CGN Ningde Nuclear Power Project has officially commenced on April 28. This milestone marks the transition of the unit's construction from civil engineering to the critical stage of installing core equipment, representing a solid step forward in the scaled construction of China's independently developed third-generation Hualong One nuclear technology.

The nuclear island serves as the core facility of a nuclear power plant, integrating key equipment such as the reactor and primary circuit systems. The quality of its installation is crucial for the long-term safe and stable operation of the plant, characterized by complex construction techniques, stringent quality control, and high safety standards.

The CGN Ningde Nuclear Power Project is a significant clean energy base on China's southeastern coast. It plans to construct six nuclear power units, each with a capacity of one million kilowatts, implemented in two phases. It is the first nuclear power project in Fujian Province to commence construction and begin operation. The first phase, consisting of four units, started construction on February 18, 2008, and was fully completed and operational by July 21, 2016. By the end of March 2026, these four units had cumulatively supplied over 347 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to the grid. This output is equivalent to replacing more than 105 million tonnes of standard coal, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 320 million tonnes, an environmental benefit comparable to afforesting 781,800 hectares of land.

Units 5 and 6 of the project's second phase received state approval on July 31, 2023. Utilizing the Hualong One technology, each unit has an annual power generation capacity exceeding 9 billion kilowatt-hours, sufficient to meet the annual electricity needs of one million people. This project is significant for promoting the large-scale adoption of Hualong One technology and enhancing the competitiveness of China's nuclear power industry. It will further optimize the energy structure of Fujian Province and the southeastern coastal region, providing solid support for achieving national carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals and fostering green, low-carbon, high-quality economic and social development.