The first of three steam generators has been installed at unit 3 of Pakistan’s Karachi NPP (Kanupp). The Hualong One reactor unit is being built with the assistance of equipment supplier China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The Hualong One (HPR1000), is a 1,100 MWe, Generation-III three-loop pressirised water reactor, which incorporates elements of China’s ACP1000 and ACPR1000+ reactor designs. CNNC said on 21 August that the steam generators had been installed before the containment dome in order to reduce construction time. CNNC first used this method during the construction of Kanupp 2. The process of preparing, orientating, lifting and hoisting Kanupp 3's first steam generator into the nuclear island reactor building took just over five hours. CNNC said the new technique was introduced which used an E-frame to "flip" the component. Compared with the traditional "fixed bracket" installation, this improves efficiency and safety, while reducing the number of workers needed and minimising the risk of human error. The technique further improves the safety and economy of the "pre-introduction" construction.
Construction of unit 2 (also a Hualong One) began in 2015 and unit 3 in 2016. The units are scheduled for commercial operation in 2021 and 2022, and will add a 2,322MWe to Pakistan's current nuclear generation capacity of 1,355MWe from its five operating units. These include a small pressurised heavy water reactor at Karachi, and four Chinese-designed pressurised water reactors at Chashma NPP. A third 1,161MWe Hualong One unit is planned for Chashma.
Four Hualong One units are under construction in China at units 3 and 4 of the Fanchenggang NPP and units 5 and 6 at Fuqing NPP. They are all expected to begin commercial operation in 2019-2020. Kanupp 2 and 3 are China’s first Hualong One exports. China is also hoping to construct two Jualong One units at the planned UK Bradwell B NPP.
