China Approves New Nuclear Power Units Including Shandong Laeyang Project

China’s State Council has approved the construction of eight new nuclear reactors. The approval covers Shandong Laeyang nuclear power phase I – two CAP1400 pressurised water reactors each rated at 1,543 MW – as well as projects in Zhejiang (Jinqimen phase II), Guangdong (Taipingling phase III) and Liaoning (Zhuanghe phase I). The latter three units will serve as demonstration projects for the Hualong One 2.0 advanced third‑generation reactor design.

The Laeyang project will be overseen by a newly formed owner company, Guodian Investment Nuclear (Laeyang) Nuclear Co., Ltd., which will handle investment, construction and operation. Across China, ten Hualong One reactors are already operating and 37 units are under construction, keeping the country at the forefront of third‑generation nuclear capacity. The approvals stress adherence to the world’s highest safety standards and aim to boost clean‑energy generation while reducing coal consumption and CO₂ emissions.