The second phase of the Sanmen nuclear power plant in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, commenced construction on Tuesday, its operator China National Nuclear Corporation said.

The plant is expected to have an installed capacity of 5 million kilowatts after the second phase, units 3 and 4, is put into operation. It is expected to generate 40 billion kilowatt hours each year, the equivalent of reducing 30 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Sanmen nuclear power plant consists of six units, with units 1 and 2 put into operation in 2018. The two units generated 19.98 billion kilowatt hours in 2021 and more than 60 billion kilowatt hours so far, CNNC said.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn