China is smashing its ambitious nuclear energy goals already, with some projects looking to be ahead of schedule. 

According to analysts at World Nuclear News, the dome of a major new reactor has been placed well ahead of time, some 188 days early.

The project is on track for commissioning in 2027, however, it may be ahead of that timeframe already.

With just a 6-year estimated timeframe, the project could be one of the fastest nuclear reactors builds in history for its scale.

The JV between Russia and China is said to be one of the most ambitious in the world right now.

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) describes the project as “a model of global energy cooperation”.

China has extremely ambitious nuclear power goals to power its economy with carbon-free energy.

Earlier this year

China already has an ambitious goal of building new carbon-free sources of energy.

In April 2023, Chinese government planners announced nuclear power capacity will grow some 652% to 400 gigawatts by 2060.

China’s State-owned nuclear power group CGN Chairman Changli suggested China would produce 18% of its electricity from nuclear by 2060.

15 new nuclear power stations are under construction or planned for construction over the next decade. 

From World Nuclear News:

In June 2018, Russia and China signed four agreements, including for the construction of two VVER-1200 reactors at the new Xudapu (also known as Xudabao) site.

Russia’s Rosatom is designing the nuclear island, supplying key equipment, as well as providing field supervision, installation supervision, and commissioning services for the supplied equipment. Turbine generators and the balance of plant will be supplied by China.

Construction of Xudapu Unit 3 began in July 2021, with that of Unit 4 starting in May 2022.

Rosatom said the lifting and installation of the dome on the reactor building had taken place in one stage, compared with the two stages used in installation in earlier construction of Russian nuclear power plants.