On December 29, 2017, CNNC’s official website quietly announced the beginning of the civil works for the demonstration fast reactor project in Xiapu County, Fujian Province. The construction of the demonstration fast reactor project is the key link in the “three steps” (pressurized water reactor – fast reactor – fusion reactor) for the domestic nuclear energy strategy.
China’s AP1000 has six units to be built and ten to be approved.
In 2017, 8 new units were originally approved, but nothing happened. Only one new unit was started at the end of December, which is less than market expectations.
There are two main reasons: the overall overcapacity of domestic power production; and the generation three technology must be verified. The first unit of the Sanmen nuclear power plant is expected to start its commercial operation in the first half of this year.
