Name: Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant
Address: CN

Overview

The Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant is a major nuclear energy facility currently under construction in the eastern province of Zhejiang, China. Located specifically in Fan'ao Town within the county-level city of Xiangshan, which is part of the Ningbo metropolitan area, the plant represents a significant expansion of China’s domestic nuclear power capacity. The project is operated by CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd, a joint venture entity leveraging the technical expertise of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and the regional energy management capabilities of Zhejiang Energy. The facility is designed to house six pressurized water reactors (PWRs), all utilizing the Hualong One reactor technology. Hualong One is a third-generation nuclear reactor design developed by CNNC and China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), recognized for its advanced passive and active safety features. The primary fuel source for these reactors is uranium, consistent with standard light-water reactor operations. The deployment of six units at a single site highlights a strategy to achieve economies of scale and provide a substantial baseload power contribution to the Zhejiang regional grid. As of the current operational status, the plant is classified as "under construction." This phase involves the civil works, installation of reactor vessels, steam generators, and primary coolant systems, as well as the integration of auxiliary buildings necessary for plant operation. The location in Xiangshan offers strategic advantages, including proximity to the East China Sea for cooling water intake and discharge, and access to the dense industrial and residential load centers of the Ningbo region. The project underscores the continued growth of nuclear power in eastern China, aiming to diversify the energy mix and support long-term electricity demand in one of the country's most economically dynamic provinces. The construction of the Jinqimen plant contributes to the broader national goal of increasing the share of low-carbon energy sources, with the Hualong One technology serving as a flagship exportable and domestic standard for future nuclear deployments.

Why it matters

The Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant represents a significant milestone in the expansion of China’s nuclear energy infrastructure, specifically through its role as a primary deployment site for the Hualong One reactor design. Located in Fan'ao Town, Xiangshan, Ningbo, in Zhejiang province, the facility is planned to house six pressurized water reactors (PWRs), all utilizing uranium as the primary fuel source. This concentration of the Hualong One technology at a single site underscores the strategic importance of this specific reactor model in the national energy mix, marking a shift towards standardized, domestically engineered nuclear solutions.

As a major deployment of the Hualong One design, Jinqimen serves as a critical testbed and production hub for this advanced PWR technology. The Hualong One is recognized as a leading Chinese nuclear reactor design, incorporating both active and passive safety features. By planning to install six units of this specific type, the project demonstrates a high level of confidence in the reactor’s operational reliability and economic viability. This scale of deployment is not merely additive to the grid capacity; it signifies a maturation of the domestic nuclear supply chain and engineering capabilities, allowing for potential economies of scale in construction and operation.

The operational status of the plant, currently under construction and operated by CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd, places it at the forefront of China’s ongoing nuclear build-out. The choice to utilize the Hualong One design aligns with broader national strategies to reduce reliance on imported nuclear technology and to establish a competitive export product for global energy markets. The project’s progression in Zhejiang province also highlights the region’s growing role in hosting advanced energy infrastructure, contributing to the diversification of the eastern Chinese power grid.

Furthermore, the Jinqimen project contributes to the broader context of nuclear power in China by reinforcing the role of pressurized water reactors as the dominant technology class. Unlike other reactor types, PWRs offer specific operational characteristics that have been extensively validated globally. The successful construction and eventual commissioning of these six units will provide valuable operational data, further cementing the Hualong One’s status as a benchmark for modern nuclear power generation in Asia. This project, therefore, is not just a local energy source but a strategic asset in the technological and geopolitical landscape of global nuclear energy.

What is the design of the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant?

The Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant is designed to utilize the Hualong One (HPR-1000) reactor technology, a third-generation pressurized water reactor (PWR) developed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). According to the project specifications, the facility is planned to house a total of six Hualong One units. This configuration positions Jinqimen as a significant contributor to the nuclear energy portfolio in eastern China, specifically within the Zhejiang province.

The Hualong One design incorporates advanced safety features characteristic of Generation III+ nuclear technology. As a pressurized water reactor, the system relies on water as both the coolant and the neutron moderator. The design includes passive and active safety systems intended to enhance reliability and reduce the probability of core damage. The use of this specific reactor type aligns with the broader strategy of standardizing nuclear infrastructure in China, leveraging the proven engineering of the Hualong One platform which has seen deployment in other domestic projects.

In terms of energy output, the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant is expected to generate an annual electricity production of 55 terawatt-hours. This capacity figure reflects the combined output of the six planned reactors once the plant reaches full operational status. The substantial generation potential underscores the plant's role in meeting the growing energy demands of the Ningbo region and the wider Zhejiang administrative area.

The construction of these six units is part of the ongoing development phase in Fan'ao Town, Xiangshan. The selection of the Hualong One technology for this site indicates a commitment to utilizing domestically developed nuclear engineering solutions. The plant remains under construction, with the operator, CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd, overseeing the implementation of the design specifications. The project contributes to the diversification of the regional energy mix, adding nuclear capacity to the existing infrastructure in eastern China.

Who operates and constructs the plant?

The Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant is developed and operated by CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). This entity serves as the primary operator responsible for the construction, commissioning, and long-term operational management of the facility. The plant is situated in Fan'ao Town, within Xiangshan County, Ningbo, in the Zhejiang province of eastern China. As a major infrastructure project in the region, the development is led by this specific CNNC subsidiary, which manages the integration of the six planned reactor units into the local energy grid.

Operational Structure and Ownership

CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd acts as the central organizing body for the Jinqimen project. As a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation, it leverages the broader corporate resources of CNNC to oversee the engineering, procurement, and construction phases. The operator is tasked with ensuring that the plant meets national safety standards and operational targets. The facility is classified as under construction, indicating that the operator is currently managing active site development, civil works, and the installation of core nuclear components. The ownership structure places the plant firmly within the state-owned nuclear energy sector of China, with CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd holding the direct operational mandate.

Construction and Development Role

The construction of the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant involves the deployment of six Hualong One pressurized water reactors. CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd is responsible for coordinating the supply chain, workforce, and technical teams required to build these units. The Hualong One technology represents a significant engineering effort, and the operator ensures that the specific requirements of this reactor design are met at the Fan'ao Town site. The project's status as under construction reflects the ongoing efforts of the operator to progress through various developmental stages, from foundation laying to reactor vessel installation and subsequent commissioning tests. The operator's role extends beyond initial construction to include the preparation for long-term fuel management, utilizing uranium as the primary fuel source for the pressurized water reactors.

What is the construction timeline?

The Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant project follows a defined chronological sequence of development stages, moving from high-level authorization to physical site preparation and initial structural construction. It is operated by CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd and is designed to house six Hualong One pressurized water reactors fueled by uranium. The project is currently classified as under construction.

Project Authorization and Site Preparation

The formal authorization for the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant occurred in December 2023. This decision marked the transition of the project from preliminary planning and feasibility studies into the active development phase. Following this authorization, immediate attention was directed toward site preparation activities to ensure the ground was ready for the arrival of heavy machinery and the subsequent pouring of concrete. These preparatory works are critical for establishing the foundation for the six reactor units planned for the site.

Site preparation activities commenced in February 2024. This phase involved clearing the land, grading the terrain, and installing temporary infrastructure necessary to support the large-scale construction effort. The location in Fan'ao Town was selected to accommodate the specific spatial requirements of the Hualong One reactor design, which utilizes pressurized water reactor technology. The work in February 2024 laid the groundwork for the first physical milestone of the construction timeline.

First Concrete for Unit 1

A significant milestone in the construction timeline was achieved on 10 August 2025, when the first concrete was poured for Unit 1 of the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant. This event, often referred to as "first concrete," signifies the beginning of the main structural construction of the reactor building. It indicates that the project has moved beyond preliminary earthworks and has entered the phase where the permanent structures of the nuclear island and conventional island begin to take shape.

The pouring of first concrete for Unit 1 on 10 August 2025 sets the pace for the remaining five units. The Hualong One reactors are designed as pressurized water reactors, and their construction follows a standardized sequence that includes the foundation, the reactor pressure vessel installation, and the containment structure. The timeline from authorization in December 2023 to first concrete in August 2025 reflects the rapid progression of the project, with site preparation in February 2024 serving as the bridge between planning and physical realization.

Date	Event
December 2023	Project authorization for the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant
February 2024	Commencement of site preparation activities
10 August 2025	First concrete poured for Unit 1

The construction of the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant is ongoing, with the first concrete event for Unit 1 marking the start of the main build phase. The project aims to install six Hualong One pressurized water reactors, contributing to the energy infrastructure of Zhejiang province. The operator, CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd, oversees the construction process, ensuring that the facility meets the technical specifications for uranium-fueled nuclear power generation. The timeline from December 2023 to August 2025 demonstrates the project's progression from authorization to physical construction, with site preparation in February 2024 playing a key role in enabling the first concrete milestone.

Where is the plant located?

The Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant is situated in Fan'ao Town, within the administrative boundaries of Xiangshan County. This location places the facility in the Ningbo metropolitan area, which is part of Zhejiang Province in eastern China. The plant's geographic coordinates are 29.0564° N, 121.9448° E. This positioning on the eastern coast of China provides strategic access to the Yangtze River Delta region, a major hub for industrial and residential energy demand. The choice of Fan'ao Town as the site is consistent with the typical siting criteria for large-scale nuclear facilities in the region, which often prioritize coastal locations for cooling water intake and discharge, as well as proximity to transmission infrastructure.

Regional Context: Xiangshan and Ningbo

Xiangshan is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Ningbo, a sub-provincial city in Zhejiang Province. Ningbo is a significant economic center in eastern China, known for its port and manufacturing sectors. The presence of the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant in Xiangshan contributes to the regional energy mix, supporting the power needs of Ningbo and the broader Zhejiang grid. The facility is operated by CNNC Zhejiang Energy Co Ltd, indicating a joint venture or regional operational structure involving the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and local Zhejiang energy entities. This operational model is common for nuclear projects in China, leveraging national technical expertise and local administrative support.

Site Characteristics

The specific location in Fan'ao Town offers a coastal setting, which is critical for the operation of pressurized water reactors (PWRs) like the Hualong One units planned for the site. Coastal sites allow for the use of seawater for condenser cooling, reducing the reliance on freshwater resources compared to inland sites. The coordinates 29.0564, 121.9448 pinpoint the exact location on the coast, facilitating precise logistical planning for the construction and future operation of the six reactor units. The eastern China location also places the plant within a seismically active zone, necessitating robust engineering designs, although specific seismic data for Fan'ao Town is not detailed in the provided grounding. The proximity to Ningbo ensures that the generated electricity can be efficiently transmitted to one of China's most densely populated and industrialized regions.

The construction of the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant in this specific location reflects a strategic decision to expand nuclear capacity in Zhejiang Province. The site's characteristics, including its coastal position and administrative placement within Xiangshan and Ningbo, support the operational requirements of the Hualong One reactors. The facility remains under construction, with the six planned units expected to significantly contribute to the regional power supply once commissioned.

Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant