Construction has kicked off on a state-of-the-art nuclear reactor in Lufeng city, Guangdong Province, in south China. The China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) announced that work began on Monday, marking a major milestone in the region’s push for clean and efficient energy.
The new reactor, called No. 1, will feature the CAP1000 technology—an advanced design for pressurized water reactors. This means the reactor will be built using modular construction techniques, digital technology, and automated welding. These innovations aim to make the reactor safer and more cost-effective.
The Lufeng nuclear power project is massive, with plans for a total of six reactors. Reactors No. 5 and No. 6 started construction in 2022 and 2023, and they use China’s own Hualong One nuclear technology.
When all six reactors are up and running, they’re expected to produce about 52 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. To put that into perspective, it’s like saving 15.77 million tonnes of coal annually and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 42.69 million tonnes. That’s a big win for the environment and a step forward in combating climate change.
