Dome lifted into place on Ningde 5

The lifting and installation process for the 45-metre-diameter dome took a total of two hours and forty-five minutes and was completed at 08:02 local time.

It means that the HPR1000 (Hualong One) nuclear power unit transitions from the civil construction phase to the equipment installation phase, China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) said.

"The nuclear island dome is the core safety barrier of the reactor building, bearing the crucial mission of ensuring the structural integrity, airtightness, and radioactive containment of the reactor building. The dome of Ningde Nuclear Power Unit 5 is a hemispherical hyperboloid shell structure, precisely assembled from main steel plates, angle steel keels, studs, and various internal supporting components," CGN said.

A large crawler crane was used for the manoeuvre, lifting the dome as high as a 20-storey building, before it was fitted precisely into place.

_{(Image: CGN)}

The construction of Ningde units 5 and 6 was approved by China's State Council on 31 July 2023. First concrete for the nuclear island of Ningde 5 was poured on 28 July 2024. It is scheduled to enter operation in 2029.

The Ningde plant currently comprises four 1,018 MWe CPR-1000 reactors, which began commercial operation between April 2013 and July 2016.