Chinese nuclear reactor design gets industry OK

The initial design of the ACP1000 has passed an authoritative industry evaluation.

China National Nuclear Corporation said the evaluation of China’s indigenous advanced pressurized water nuclear reactor was carried out by nearly 40 experts from relevant departments and industry associations.

The team following the test said that the technology and safety index of the ACP1000 are on par with the world's third generation of nuclear reactors and the reactor can be completely designed and built in China.

CNNC, the developer of the ACP1000, said that it has finished a preliminary safety analysis report. It is currently working on construction design in order to have conditions ready for construction by the end of 2013.

The company has the complete intellectual property rights for the ACP1000 reactor, which will have a localization rate of 85% and a.

CNNC has already signed export contracts for the reactor, which has a design lifespan of 60 years. The ACP1000 is the Chinese version of the AP1000 two-loop pressurized water reactor sold by Westinghouse Electric Company.