The reactor pressure vessel has been installed at unit 7 of China’s Tianwan NPP. This paves the way for installation of the main circulation pumps, steam generators and the main circulation pipeline. The VVER-1200 reactor vessel, which weighs 334.2 tonnes and is 11.34 metres long, was delivered to the construction site in early August. Before installation, the equipment passed incoming inspection in accordance with regulatory requirements. The commission included representatives of the Chinese customer, specialists from the Engineering Division of Rosatom and the equipment manufacturer Atommash.
“In accordance with contractual obligations, as part of the installation of the reactor vessel,” said Alexey Bannik, Vice-President of Atomstroyexport responsible for projects in China. “Upon completion of the installation of all large-sized equipment, Russian engineers and builders will have to carry out supervision of installation and supervision for commissioning of the equipment of the nuclear island.”
Construction of units 7&8, equipped with VVER-1200 reactors began in May 2021. Units 1-4, with VVER-1000 reactors commissioned between 2007 to 2018 are already in operation. Units 5&6 with Chinese ACPR-1000s were commissioned in 2020 and 2021.
The agreement for construction of Tianwan 7&8 was signed by Russia and China in 1918 and commissioning is scheduled for 2026-2027. Tianwan NPP is owned and operated by the Jiangsu Nuclear Power Corporation, whose shareholders are China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC – 50% stake), China Power Investment Corporation (30%) and Jiangsu Guoxin Group (20%).
Image courtesy of Rosatom
