China installs nuclear reactor vessel at unit 6 of Lufeng plant

China has begun installing the reactor pressure vessel for unit 6 at the Lufeng nuclear power plant in Guangdong province, marking a key milestone in the plant's expansion. Units 5 and 6 will feature the domestically developed Hualong One reactors, a widely deployed third-generation nuclear technology co-developed by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The Lufeng plant initially planned for four CAP1000 reactors—China’s version of the Westinghouse AP1000—but was later expanded to six units, with construction on units 5 and 6 starting in 2022 and expected to complete by 2028-29. The reactor pressure vessel, a critical component housing the reactor core and facilitating coolant flow and control rod movement, is essential for the plant’s safe and stable operation. Each Hualong One reactor has a gross capacity of 1,200 MW, while the CAP1000 units generate 1,160 MW each