Northeast China’s first nuclear power station goes on line

Liaoning Hongyanhe Nuclear Power (LHNPC) owned Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant (HNPP) in northeast China has begun operation on 17 February 2013.

The region’s first nuclear power plant would have six generating units. The first of the six units has started producing electricity.

During the first phase of the project, four units will be built. Construction for the phase has started in 2007.

LHNPC general manager Yang Xiaofeng was quoted by Xinhua as saying that the first phase construction would cost CNY50bn ($8.02bn), and the completion is expected by the end of 2015.

The four units, once fully operational, could generate 30 billion KWh of electricity per year, accounting for 16% of the total electricity consumption in Liaoning Province in 2012, Yang noted.

During the second phase, two more units will be built at an investment of CNY25bn ($4.01bn). Construction had already started in May 2010, and completion is expected in 2016.

Yang added that the six-unit HNPP, when fully operational by 2016, could generate 45 billion KWh of electricity annually.