Unit 7 of the Tianwan NPP under construction in China has been brought to the minimum controlled power level, Rosatom reported. The next stage will be to test the reactor installation at various power levels. Commercial operation is expected later this year.
In 2018, Russia and China signed four agreements, including for the construction of two VVER-1200 reactors for Tianwan units 7&8. Construction of unit 7 began in May 2021, and unit 8 in February 2022. Tianwan 7 is scheduled to be commissioned in 2026 and Tianwan 8 in 2027. Tianwan 1-4, with VVER-1000 reactors, commissioned between 2007 and 2018, are already in operation. Units 5&6 with Chinese ACPR-1000s were commissioned in 2020 and 2021.
Tianwan 7 will be the first Generation III+ VVER-1200 to begin operation in China. It represents an evolutionary step up from the older VVER-1000 models used in units 1–4. The VVER-1200 features double the expected operational lifespan (60 years). It also includes a two-thirds slower refuelling cadence and advanced passive safety systems. Once units 7&8 reach full capacity, they will collectively generate 18.8 TWh of electricity annually. This will bring the total output of the entire eight-unit station to roughly 70 TWh a year.
Tianwan NPP is owned and operated by the Jiangsu Nuclear Power Corporation, whose shareholders are CNNC (50%), China Power Investment Corporation (30%) and Jiangsu Guoxin Group (20%).
