China Hoists Record‑Size CA20 Module at Lufeng Unit 2

CA20 super module installed at Lufeng Unit 2 – The 20 m × 14 m × 21 m, 1,000‑tonne CA20 module was hoisted into place on 1 March at the second unit of the Lufeng nuclear plant in Guangdong, announced by CNNC 23 Engineering Co Ltd [1].

Module houses critical nuclear systems – The cuboid module comprises 32 wall and 39 floor sections and will contain equipment for used‑fuel storage, transmission, heat exchange and waste collection, among other functions [1].

CAP1000 reactors approved but staggered – Four 1250 MWe CAP1000 reactors (units 1‑4) received NDRC approval in September 2014, but State Council clearance for units 1 and 2 came only on 19 August 2024; concrete for unit 1’s nuclear island was poured 24 February 2025 and for unit 2 in December 2025, while units 3‑4 await approval [1].

Hualong One units under construction – Units 5 and 6, based on the Hualong One design, were approved in April 2022; first concrete was poured 8 September 2022 for unit 5 and 26 August 2023 for unit 6, with grid connection slated for 2028 and 2029 respectively [1].

Projected output will cut coal and emissions – China General Nuclear estimates that once all six units operate, Lufeng will generate about 52 TWh annually, avoiding roughly 16 million tonnes of coal use and over 42 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions [1].

CNNC 23 Engineering leads module installation – The construction subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation performed the hoisting operation, highlighting CNNC’s role in advancing China’s domestic nuclear capacity [1].