On April 4, a significant milestone was reached in the large-scale development of China's Hualong One, a self-developed third-generation nuclear technology. The first concrete pouring for Unit 2's nuclear island officially began at the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province. This project, invested and controlled by China National Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (CNNP), a subsidiary of CNNC, marks the start of the unit's main construction phase.

The project represents CNNC's commitment to China's "dual carbon" goals, aiming to advance technology-driven industrial empowerment for societal benefits. It will contribute to building a new energy system and strengthening national energy security.

Hualong One, developed by CNNC, boasts fully independent intellectual property rights, reflecting over 40 years of nuclear expertise. It leads globally in the number of units under construction and operation, serving as the main reactor type for China's large-scale nuclear expansion and showcasing the nation's technological prowess. At present, both units of Phase I of the Jinqimen project are under construction, with their operations slated for 2030 and 2031 respectively. The project will feature six million-kilowatt-class Hualong One pressurized water reactor units. Upon completion, it will generate approximately 55 billion kWh of electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 45 million tons annually — equivalent to afforesting an area 65 times that of Ningbo's Dongqian Lake. This will significantly bolster energy supply and promote green, low-carbon transition in Zhejiang province and the Yangtze River Delta region.