(Yicai) Aug. 1 -- China has approved the construction of three nuclear power projects, each with two reactor units, for a total estimated investment of CNY120 billion (USD16.8 billion).

The State Council yesterday gave the go-ahead to the projects in Shidaowan, Shandong province, Ningde, Fujian province, and Xudabao, Liaoning province. Each CNY20 billion (USD2.8 billion) reactor will be able to produce 1,200 megawatts of electricity, the cabinet noted.

China has 77 nuclear reactors in operation and under construction, ranking second only to the United States. New projects were paused in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, but were resumed in 2019. China approved 10 new reactors last year.

The two new reactors slated for Ningde will be the fifth and sixth at the Ningde Nuclear Power Plant. The 1,210 MW units will be built by China General Nuclear Power using the Hualong One design, China’s own third-generation atomic power technology, the Shenzhen-based firm told Yicai.

The two reactors for the Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Plant in Shidaowan will be built by China Huaneng Group as an expansion of the existing plant. They will also use the Hualong One design.

China National Nuclear Corporation will be responsible for the construction of the 1,291 MW No. 1 and No. 2 reactor units at the Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant as an expansion project, the company’s listed arm China National Nuclear Power said in a statement yesterday.

Jointly developed by CNNC and CGN, Hualong One pressurized water reactors can be manufactured in bulk. CGN can produce 20 at a time, placing orders with more than 5,000 suppliers.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Futura Costaglione