Construction of the Sanmen nuclear power plant has reached a milestone with the installation of the pressure vessel for the first reactor.
The huge component was made in South Korea by Doosan Heavy Industries using forgings from China First Heavy Industries. It was shipped to Sanmen in July and on 22 September lifted to a height of 54 metres in order to enter the reactor building through its open roof and then lowered into place with just 15 centimetres to spare on each side. The vessel head and control rod drive mechanisms are to be shipped and installed separately.
Meanwhile, construction at Sanmen's second reactor is progressing. On 19 September, the third ring of the containment vessel was put in place. The same work at unit 1 was carried out on 12 September 2010.
The Sanmen reactors are the world's first AP1000 units and are expected to start operation in November 2013. China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) played a major role in the transfer of knowledge and technology from the plant supplier, Westinghouse, while building the two reactors.
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