What’s Happening at Xudabao 4?
- Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province is advancing with Unit 4, which is part of a series of large-scale reactors using VVER-1200 technology supplied by Russia’s Rosatom.
- Recent announcements highlight:
- Civil construction milestones: Reactor building and containment structures progressing rapidly.
- International collaboration: Russian technology integrated with Chinese project management and supply chains.
- Strategic energy goals: China is accelerating nuclear deployment to meet carbon neutrality targets by 2060.
Connecting to UK Modular Construction
While China is building gigawatt-scale reactors, the UK is pioneering modular construction through:
- Hinkley Point C: Using modular assembly for major components to reduce on-site complexity.
- Sizewell C: Expected to replicate modular efficiencies.
- SMRs (Small Modular Reactors): Rolls-Royce-led program aiming for factory-built modules for faster deployment.
Why this matters for nuclear careers:
- China’s approach shows the continued relevance of large-scale nuclear expertise globally.
- UK’s modular trend creates demand for new skills: digital design, off-site fabrication, logistics, and advanced QA/QC processes.
- Professionals who understand both traditional and modular methods will be highly sought after as the industry diversifies.
Global nuclear strategies are diverging, China is scaling up with mega-reactors, while the UK is innovating with modular builds. For professionals, this means opportunity: mastering modular construction techniques and digital workflows will be key to driving efficiency and sustainability in the next generation of nuclear projects.
Picture: Rosatom