China is expanding a nuclear power plant to supply 54 million people with electricity
Construction of the third phase of the Haiyan nuclear power plant in China has begun. Once all six power units are commissioned, the complex is expected to generate up to 60.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This will be enough to cover the annual household electricity needs of nearly 54 million people.
China is expanding a nuclear power plant to supply 54 million people with electricity
In the city of Haiyang in China's eastern Shandong Province, construction of the "nuclear island" for the fifth power unit at the nuclear power plant has begun.
According to the State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), the first concrete was poured into the foundation of this section on October 31. Thus, the third phase of the construction of the "Haiyang" nuclear energy complex has been launched. The project envisions the construction of six power units of the million-kilowatt capacity category in three phases.
"Haiyang" is one of the world's first nuclear energy projects implemented on the basis of third-generation nuclear technologies. The new, third phase covers the fifth and sixth power units. They will utilize upgraded third-generation pressurized water reactors equipped with passive safety systems.
The feature of passive safety systems is that certain protective functions rely on natural physical processes. Such an approach serves to reduce reliance on external power supplies and active mechanical equipment in emergency situations.
The third phase became the first nuclear energy project whose construction commenced in Shandong Province during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period covering 2026–2030.
With the start of new work, the "Haiyang" complex is moving into a development phase where several power units are operated simultaneously while others are being constructed. The company emphasizes that this approach will expand the applications of nuclear energy and accelerate the formation of a major nuclear energy hub in the region.
According to Liu Fei, head of the "Haiyang" project at SPIC Shandong Nuclear Power, once all six power units are fully constructed and commissioned, the complex will become the world's largest among nuclear energy facilities based entirely on pressurized water reactor technology with passive safety systems. Annual electricity generation is expected to reach 60.9 billion kilowatt-hours, which is equivalent to meeting the residential electricity needs of 54 million residents.
China is also rapidly expanding nuclear energy on a nationwide scale. According to the data provided in the report, there are a total of 120 nuclear power units in the country that are operating, under construction, or approved for construction. Their total capacity is 135 million kilowatts. Combining operational and planned facilities, China ranks first in the world in this indicator.