China: the construction of the EPR reactor Unit 1 at Taishan takes a major step forward with the installation of the vessel

The construction of the EPR reactor at Taishan in China, coordinated by EDF, CGNPC* and AREVA, has passed a key stage in its development with the lowering of the vessel into the Unit 1 reactor building, after which it was installed in its final location in the reactor pit.

The positioning of this steel component - weighing more than 420 tons, with a diameter of 5.3 metres and 10.6 metres high - marks the culmination of numerous civil engineering and assembly works undertaken since the metal dome was placed on top of the reactor building at the end of October 2011. This important stage was coordinated by the project manager, Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Company (TNPJVC: a joint venture owned at 70% by CGNPC and at 30 % by EDF), with technical support provided by local AREVA teams.

This operation marks the start of works for the installation of the nuclear steam supply system (apart from the vessel, the 4 steam generators, pressuriser, the 4 primary motorised pump units and pipework), to be undertaken in parallel with the installation of the equipment and auxiliary systems.

David Emond, Taishan Project Manager at AREVA, stated: "The installation of the vessel for the first EPR reactor at Taishan power plant under the best conditions initiates an important new phase in the development of the site. With the success of this key operation, we have taken a further step towards the commissioning of the most powerful nuclear reactor in China."

Roger Seban, Deputy Chief Executive of TNPJVC, assigned by EDF commented: "Now that the vessel has been put in place, we have to move on to the work of installing all of the power station equipment, whilst at all times observing the quality and safety requirements. The Franco-Chinese teams at Taishan are mobilised and ready to achieve this objective." 

* CGNPC: China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company