Unit 1 of the Haiyang nuclear power plant in China’s Shandong province has completed 168 hours of full-power continuous operation. The unit is now deemed to be the second AP1000 reactor to enter commercial operation.
Haiyang 1 completed the full-power demonstration test run at 10.12pm yesterday, State Power Investment Corporation has announced. The reactor, it said, has now met “commercial operation conditions”. Although operator China National Nuclear Corporation must still obtain necessary permits and documentation, the unit can now be considered to be in commercial operation.
In September 2007, Westinghouse and its partner the Shaw Group received authorisation to construct four AP1000 units in China: two at Sanmen in Zhejiang province and two more at Haiyang in Shandong province. Construction of Sanmen 1 began in April 2009, while first concrete for Sanmen 2 was poured in December 2009. Construction of Haiyang 1 and 2 began in September 2009 and June 2010, respectively.
Unit 1 of the Haiyang plant attained first criticality on 8 August and was grid connected on 17 August.
On 21 September, Sanmen 1 became the first AP1000 to enter commercial operation. Unit 2 of the Sanmen plant is also expected to enter commercial operation by the end of this year, while Haiyang 2 is expected to start up early next year.
Source: World Nuclear News
