– CA01 ‘super module’ installed at Lianjiang nuclear power plant in China’s Guangdong province
– Module made of concrete and steel, weighs over 1,066 tonnes, and houses reactor components
– CAP1000 reactors are Chinese version of US-designed AP1000, with modular construction techniques.
A new CA01 ‘super module’ has been installed at unit 1 of the Lianjiang nuclear power plant in China’s Guangdong province, marking the first of two CAP1000 reactors planned for the plant. This module, made of concrete and steel, weighs over 1,066 tonnes, and houses the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators, and other components. The module is part of the CAP1000 reactors, which are the Chinese version of the AP1000 Westinghouse design and use modular construction techniques.
China’s State Council approved the construction of the first two 1.25GW CAP1000 reactors at the Lianjiang site, with excavation and concrete pouring for unit 1 already underway. Once operational, all six CAP1000 units are expected to generate around 70.2 terawatt-hours of power. This development is part of China’s efforts to enhance its nuclear energy capacity, as the country currently relies heavily on coal for its electricity needs, with nuclear power accounting for 5% of electricity generation.
The total investment in the Lianjiang nuclear power plant project is estimated at Y130bn ($18.1bn), with unit 1 expected to be operational by 2028. The installation of the CA01 ‘super module’ and the progress at the Lianjiang site represent a significant milestone in China’s nuclear energy strategy.