New nuclear power unit in Fuqing in pipeline

The construction site of the first Hualong One nuclear power unit, coded as the No 5 nuclear power unit in Fuqing, Fujian province on December 9, 2015. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The building construction of the first Hualong One nuclear power unit may be finished before the scheduled date and the building construction of another Hualong One model will start by the year's end, said a senior manager of the nuclear power plant in Fuqing, Fujian province on Wednesday.

The construction of the first Hualong One unit, coded as the No 5 nuclear power unit in Fuqing, started on May 7, 2015, which is the demonstration project of China's homegrown third-generation nuclear technology.

The construction is slated to be completed in 25 months. "We saw smooth progress in the building construction right now, and may finish it in 23 months," said Chen Guocai, deputy general manger of Fujian Fuqing Nuclear Power Co Ltd.

The whole construction of the Hualong One nuclear power unit is comprised of three phases, including building construction, equipment installment and adjustment, which is scheduled to take 65 months.

Globally speaking, most nuclear power projects have been postponed, mainly because of a delay in receiving equipment, said Chen.

"For Hualong One, most of its equipment are developed based on improvement of original mature technologies, without fundamental changes. It is unlikely to see delay in the construction, Chen added.

Preparations for the construction of anoherHualong One nuclear power unit, coded as the No 6 nuclear power unit in Fuqing, is now ready and the building construction will start by the year's end.

About 85 percent of equipment used in Hualong One can be manufactured in China and the designed lifetime of the model is 60 years.