The Rosatom Engineering Division has provided technical support for the operation.
The reactor vessel manufactured by Russian specialists has been installed in its design position at the Tianwan NPP Unit 8 which is being built by the Rosatom Engineering Division in China. The division’s representatives have provided technical support for the technological operation supervised by OKB Gidropress’ specialists (belonging to the Rosatom’s Engineering Division).
The VVER-1200 reactor vessel weighing 331.7 tons, was delivered to the construction site in China at the end of August. Having passed the incoming inspection, the equipment went through all stages of preparation for being installed in its design position.
“Installing the reactor vessel requires fair accuracy. Russian specialists provided technical support to Chinese partners in this technological process. After the installation of all large-sized equipment has been completed, the Engineering Division engineers will supervise the installation and adjustment of the equipment at Unit No. 8,” said Alexey Bannik, ASE JSC Vice President for Projects in China and Prospective Projects.
And we’ve got installation of the reactor coolant pumps, steam generators and the main coolant pipe ahead of us!
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Currently, four power units are being built in China (two of them constructed at the Tianwan NPP and the other two, at the Xudapu NPP) using the Russian design of Gen 3+ VVER-1200 reactor plant.
Tianwan NPS is the largest project of economic cooperation between Russia and China. On June 8, 2018, the Intergovernmental Protocol and the frame contract for construction of TNPS Units 7&8 with VVER-1200 reactors were signed in Beijing. From the Russian party, the contract was signed by the Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division, and from the Chinese party – by CNNC companies. In accordance with these documents, the Russian side has designed the nuclear island and it will supply the key nuclear island equipment for both units. The following executive contracts were signed as well: the technical design contract for Units 7&8 and the general contract for Units 7&8. In accordance with the signed contracts, the Engineering Division is involved in designing and delivery of nuclear island documentation and equipment and provision of associated services (such as designer supervision, installation supervision, adjustment supervision). The works on construction of Units 7&8 started on May 19, 2021.
The earlier four units of the Russian VVER-1000 design are successfully operating at the Tianwan NPP and supplying millions of kilowatts of energy to the country’s power grid.