Russian state nuclear company Rosatom has completed the installation of the reactor vessel at Tianwan nuclear power plant (NPP) Unit 8 in China.
The Tianwan NPP Unit 8 installation has reached a crucial phase with the positioning of the reactor vessel by Rosatom’s engineering division.
The reactor, a critical component of the nuclear power plant, was manufactured by Russian specialists and has now been secured in its designated spot within Unit 8, which is currently under construction.
Technical support for the operation was provided by representatives of Rosatom’s engineering division, with supervision from specialists at OKB Gidropress, a subsidiary within the same division.
The VVER-1200 reactor vessel, weighing 331.7t, arrived at the Tianwan construction site in China at the end of August 2024.
Upon completion of a thorough incoming inspection, the equipment underwent a series of preparatory stages before installation.
ASE JSC [Atomstroyexport Joint Stock Company, part of Rosatom] vice-president for Projects in China and Prospective Projects Alexey Bannik said: “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 will supervise the installation and adjustment of the equipment at Unit No 8.”
ASE JSC focuses on the design, construction and modernisation of nuclear power plants both within Russia and internationally.
In April 2024, Rosatom began the commissioning phase for the first unit at the Akkuyu NPP in Turkey.
Akkuyu is Turkey’s first nuclear power plant and will feature four water-water energetic reactors designed by Russia.
Construction began in 2018, and the first shipment of nuclear fuel arrived at the site in April 2023.
Rosatom considers the Turkey project important as part of its influence on the global development of nuclear power.
Following the completion of the Akkuyu NPP, Turkey plans two additional plants at Sinop and Thrace.
