World’s first AP1000 nuclear power plant in China completes initial criticality

KUALA LUMPUR: The world’s first AP1000 nuclear power plant in Sanmen, Zhejiang Province, China has successfully completed initial criticality.

Westinghouse Electric Company, China State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) announced the completed final major milestone, a statement said.

President and chief executive officer of Westinghouse, José Emeterio Gutiérrez said they are one step closer to provide customers in China with safe, reliable and clean energy from Sanmen 1.

Once plant operations begin at Sanmen 1, it will be the first AP1000 nuclear power plant in operation, offering innovative passive safety system technology, multiple layers of defense and advanced controls for unequaled reliability and safety.

President of Asia Region, Gavin Liu said: “Westinghouse’s success in China is the joint effort between Westinghouse and our China customers. This partnership and cooperation model can help to deploy a fleet of AP1000 units in the world for many years to come.”

Westinghouse currently has six AP1000 unit progressing through construction, testing and start-up -- two units in Sanmen, Zhejiang Province, China, two units in Haiyang, Shandong Province, China and two units under construction at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Georgia, US. — Bernama