World’s first 3rd generation nuclear plant nears completion

Project is the largest undertaken by China and the USA as partners.

China’s and the world’s first third-generation nuclear power plant will use a US technology called AP1000, a two-loop pressurized water reactor from Westinghouse Electric Company. This technology allows the plant's emergency cooling system to function without electricity for up to three days.

Westinghouse said the risk from using AP1000 is 100 times lower. Even without power, gravity and natural circulation will keep the reactor vessel in a safe condition.

The Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang will have six reactors. Site construction for the first two began in February 2008 while operation is scheduled for 2013–15. The reactor and the steam generator are onsite waiting to be installed.

Sanmen will start generating electricity in 2014 and is expected to supply 15% of Zhejiang province's electricity by 2015.

It's part of China's overall plan to increase the proportion of nuclear power to 4% by 2020, double the current level.