Tianwan-2, the second of two 1000 MWe reactors built by Atomstroyexport in China, has started commercial operation.

Due apparently to drawn-out negotiations with Areva and EdF, China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co has decided to build six of its proven CPR-1000 units at Yangjiang, instead of two Areva EPRs and to move the EPRs to Taishan where electricity demand is less pressing.

Construction of the first Hongyanhe nuclear reactor has started in Liaoning province - the first nuclear plant in the north-east of China. The cost of all four 1080 MWe CPR-1000 units in phase 1 is expected to be US$6.6 billion. Commercial operation is planned for 2012-14.

Five units are now under construction in China, with 13 more due to start construction in the next 18 months.

- Information sourced from the Australian Uranium Association Weekly Digest news