Construction on schedule for first Sanmen unit

Construction on schedule for first Sanmen unit

21 September 2010

The project to build the world's first AP1000, China's Sanmen 1, reached a construction milestone when the third steel ring of the plant's containment vessel was hoisted into place. Work on the Westinghouse reactor is now back on schedule, despite falling six months behind at the end of last year.

The third ring is lowered into place (Image: Sanmen Nuclear Power Co)

The steel ring, which makes up part of the containment vessel, was lowered into place on 12 September. Composed of 36 steel plates 44.5 mm thick, it is 11.7 metres in height and weighs in excess of 500 tonnes. Installation of the third ring means that the steel safety shell now rises 35.7 metres above ground level, according to the Sanmen Nuclear Power Co.

Sanmen 1 is one of two AP1000 pressurised water reactors being constructed at the site in Zhejiang province and is the lead unit of four AP1000 units currently being built in China. Construction is also under way on two AP1000s at Haiyang in Shandong province. Aris Candris, President and CEO of Westinghouse, told the recent World Nuclear Association Annual Symposium in London that all four AP1000 reactors are on course to commence operation between November 2013 and March 2015.