CNNC's 1.08GWe Tianwan-5 nuclear reactor attains criticality

It is expected to be commissioned by end-2021.

The fifth unit of the Tianwan nuclear project in the Jiangsu province of China has achieved first criticality, paving the way for grid-connected power generation. The Unit 5 consists of a Chinese-designed ACPR1000 pressurised water reactor (PWR) rated 1.08GWe. The project is developed by the Chinese state-run nuclear corporation China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) which completed fuel loading into the reactor earlier in July.

The Tianwan nuclear power plant already includes a first phase of two 990MW net units, which were commissioned in 2007. Tianwan-3 (1.06GW net) entered commercial operation in February 2018 and Tianwan-4 (990MW net) in October 2018. The construction of two additional 1GW ACPR1000 reactors, Tianwan-5 and 6, started in late 2015 and early 2016, respectively; the two units are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2021.

Two additional VVER-1200 reactors, Tianwan-7 and Tianwan-8 are also under development though without any specific commissioning date so far. With all eight reactors in operation, Tianwan would become the largest nuclear power plant in the world, with a total capacity of 8.1GW.

The Tianwan nuclear power plant is operated by the Jiangsu Nuclear Power Corporation, a joint venture between CNNC (50%), China Power Investment Corporation (30%) and Jiangsu Guoxin Group (20%). CNNC completes fuel loading at Tianwan-5 nuclear unit (China).

This article was originally published by Enerdata.