The No. fourth power unit of the Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao city of Northeast China's Liaoning province recently completed the lifting and positioning of its dome, marking the entry of equipment installation phase of the third and fourth nuclear units and laying a solid foundation for high-quality and steady development of the entire project.

The Xudapu nuclear power plant is built by China National Nuclear Power Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), and it is one of the country 's major energy projects.

The hemispherical dome, which is located on the top of the nuclear island, plays an important role in ensuring the integrity and sealing of nuclear reactors. The dome of No. fourth power unit of the Xudapu nuclear power plant features a steel lining with a diameter of 44 meters and is weighed at  655.37 tons. It is the largest and heaviest steel component of the integral lifting and positioning in the steel-lining construction of the No. fourth power unit's nuclear island.

The construction team has combined the lifting of original hemispherical line with dome installation, and overcome multiple setbacks and challenges to ensure the safety and success. The high-precision installation of unit 4's dome is a symbol of the further maturation of the integrated module lifting construction and the success of the one-time transition and installation of the internal dome.

The Xudapu nuclear power plant is a worldwide demonstration project for nuclear energy cooperation dedicated to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Its third and fourth power units are scheduled to start operation in 2027 and 2028 respectively. They are expected to generate over 18 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, equivalent to saving 6.4 million tons of coal and reducing CO2 emissions by 18.9 million tons. The reduction amount equals the carbon absorption of 124,000 hectares of forest in a year.

Additionally, it will promote the transition of local industrial and energy structure and make positive contributions to the building of a clean, low-carbon, secure and efficient energy system, the low-carbon and green development, and the realization of the country's "dual carbon" goals.