Taishan Nuclear Power Plant

Taishan Nuclear Power Plant. It is a major nuclear power facility located on the coast of the South China Sea in Guangdong province. The plant is notable for hosting the world's first operational European Pressurized Reactor units, a third-generation reactor design. It represents a significant collaboration between China General Nuclear Power Group, Électricité de France, and the reactor supplier Framatome.

History and development

The project originated from a broader energy cooperation agreement between the Government of China and France in the early 2000s. Site selection and preliminary studies for the facility were conducted near the city of Jiangmen, with formal approval from the National Nuclear Safety Administration granted in 2007. A joint venture was established between China General Nuclear Power Group and Électricité de France, forming the Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Company Limited to oversee construction and operation. The pouring of first concrete for Unit 1 commenced in 2009, marking the official start of construction. The project faced challenges parallel to those encountered at the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant in Finland and the Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant in France, which also involved the European Pressurized Reactor design.

Design and technology

The plant features two European Pressurized Reactor units, each with a gross electrical output of 1750 MW. The EPR design was developed by Framatome (formerly Areva) and Siemens through the Nuclear Power International consortium. Key technological features include a double-walled containment building, four independent safety system trains, and a core catcher designed to mitigate the consequences of a severe accident. The turbine generators were supplied by Alstom, and the digital instrumentation and control systems were provided by Schneider Electric. The design emphasizes high thermal efficiency and a 60-year operational lifespan, with enhanced safety margins exceeding post-Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster requirements.

Operational history

Unit 1 achieved first criticality in June 2018 and was connected to the Southern Power Grid later that year, entering commercial operation in December 2018. Unit 2 followed, reaching criticality in May 2019 and beginning commercial operation in September 2019. In mid-2021, operational monitoring indicated a performance issue related to fuel rod cladding within one reactor. Following protocols, the operator reduced power and engaged technical support from Framatome and the French Nuclear Safety Authority. After analysis and regulatory review by the National Nuclear Safety Administration, the unit resumed normal operation. The plant has since supplied substantial baseload electricity to the Pearl River Delta region.

Safety and environmental aspects

Safety oversight is conducted by the National Nuclear Safety Administration under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The plant's design incorporates lessons from historical events including the Chernobyl disaster and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Its location was evaluated for seismic activity, with reference to the Yangjiang Nuclear Power Plant and Dayawan Nuclear Power Plant in the same region. Environmental monitoring programs track marine ecosystems in the South China Sea and atmospheric conditions. Radioactive waste is managed on-site, with spent fuel stored in pools before eventual transfer to a national repository, in line with policies from the China Atomic Energy Authority.

Economic and social impact

The construction phase created thousands of jobs and involved numerous subcontractors including China National Nuclear Corporation and various provincial construction firms. As a critical infrastructure project within the Belt and Road Initiative, it symbolizes high-tech cooperation between China and the European Union. The plant significantly contributes to the regional energy mix, displacing fossil fuel generation from plants like those in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, aiding Guangdong province in meeting its carbon intensity targets. It also supports the local economy in Taishan, Guangdong through tax revenue and associated services, while serving as a reference project for subsequent EPR constructions in the United Kingdom at Hinkley Point C.

Category:Nuclear power stations in China Category:Buildings and structures in Guangdong Category:European Pressurized Reactors