Unit 7 of China's Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant Connected to the Grid
China National Nuclear Corporation announced that Unit 7 of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant has been successfully connected to the grid and generated its first electricity.
According to an announcement by China National Nuclear Corporation, Unit 7 of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, featuring a VVER-1200 type reactor, was successfully connected to the grid and transmitted its first electricity on October 8.
Grid Connection Achieved
China National Nuclear Corporation announced that Unit 7 of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant has been successfully connected to the grid, and the first electricity from the VVER-1200 reactor was delivered on October 8.
Critical Process and Tests
This development took place approximately one week after the reactor achieved a self-sustaining controlled nuclear chain reaction and reached the minimum controllable power level.
In this Sino-Russian joint project, critical operations such as reactor protection logic verification, reactor criticality, turbine startup, and generator short-circuit testing were meticulously completed.
Future Plans and Commercial Operation
The unit will continue to undergo a series of tests as planned to further verify its performance and ensure it meets the conditions for commercial operation.
At the coastal plant in Jiangsu province, power will be increased gradually, and tests and checks will be carried out at each level until full power and commercial operation are reached.
Project History and Timeline
Russia and China signed agreements in June 2018 for the construction of two VVER-1200 reactors as units 7 and 8 of the Tianwan plant.
Construction of Unit 7 began in May 2021, while construction of Unit 8 started in February 2022, with the units scheduled to begin commercial operation in 2026 and 2027, respectively.