A nuclear power plant based on the third-generation AP1000 technology, developed by U.S.-based Westinghouse Co, is scheduled to start generating electricity in Sanmen, Zhejiang Province in 2013, two and a half years ahead of the U.S., sources reported, citing Lin Chengge, an expert with the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The Sanmen-based nuclear power plant will be the first third-generation AP1000 nuclear power station in the world. The overall design of the plant, together with key system and equipment designs, was completed in December 2008. The construction of the reactor began in 2009.
Wang Binghua, chairman of the State Nuclear Power Technology Corp, said Chinese and American technicians would tie up to ensure "absolutely safe and reliable reactors". SNPTC is engaged in the development of third-generation nuclear power technology in China.
SNPTC and Westinghouse formed partnership three years ago. In 2007, the two firms signed a deal that allows SNPTC to use AP1000 technology to build four coastal nuclear power reactors, including two in Sanmen and two in Haiyang of Shandong Province.
