The No. 2 generating unit of Tianwan nuclear power plant, a Sino-Russian cooperative project, has begun to operate at full capacity, according to an announcement by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

CNNC said that the second unit is operating at a stable 1.05 million kw and all technical parameters are within set values.

Before its test operation, the unit passed a full-capacity safety check by the National Nuclear Safety Administration. After the debugging period, the No. 2 generating unit will officially start commercial operation.

CNNC said by midnight on July 11, the No. 2 generating unit had generated 468 million kwh of electricity and sent 422 million kwh to the power grid.

Tianwan nuclear power plant is the largest ever technological and economic cooperation project between China and Russia.

The Tianwan plant, in Lianyungang, a port city in Jiangsu Province, will have four generating units and space for four more.

In the first-phase development which began in October 1999, two 1,060 MW AES-91 pressurized water reactors made by a Russian company were installed.

The first generating unit was connected to the grid in May last year. It began generating at full capacity on Jan. 9.  By May 1, it had generated 2.08 billion kwh of electricity, of which 1.86 billion kwh was transmitted to the grid.

In addition to Tianwan plant, five more nuclear plants -- the first, second, third phases of Qinshan nuclear power plant, Daya Bay and Ling'ao -- are also connected to the grids.

The Chinese government is promoting the nuclear power sector by aiming at an installation of 40,000 MW by 2020. Even though the figure is high, it will still only represent 4 percent of the total national capacity.

(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2007)