China launches Hogyanhe-6 nuclear reactor construction

The China General Nuclear Power Group has initiated the construction of a one-gigawatt nuclear reactor at the Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant.

Currently there are two nuclear reactors operating at the nuclear plant in Liaoning Province and there are four units under construction, including the sixth unit. According to Enerdata, the plant's first two reactors became operational in 2013 and 2014 and the second two, Units 3 and 4, are expected to be operational by the end of this year.

The fifth unit at the plant began its construction in March and is expected to begin operation in November 2016. This newest reactor is expected to be completed and operational by August 2020.

This is a part of a countrywide initiative in China to greatly expand its nuclear generation capacities. The World Nuclear Association (WNA) says the country has 26 nuclear reactors operating and there are 25 additional reactors under construction or that will be in the near future.

The government's undertaking of this nuclear expansion will allow the country's capacity for generation to reach 58 gigawatt hours by 2020 and 150 gigawatt hours by 2030.

In the U.S., there are 99 nuclear reactors operating with approximately 98.7 gigawatt hours. The WNA reports that five are under construction in the U.S.