The China National Nuclear Corporation has begun site preparation work at Sanmen, in the east-coast province of Zhejiang, according to the government-authorised China Internet Information Center. Among the first projects is a 3km road. In the second quarter of this year three hills will be levelled, as part of construction preparations.
Meanwhile, other nuclear projects are progressing well. Fuel loading at Ling Ao 1 has been completed and the unit is expected to commence commercial operation by July. The 984MWe PWR was built by Framatome ANP. The second unit is due to enter commercial operation in March 2003.
At Qinshan phase II, unit 1 – which was independently designed and built by China – has reached criticality. The 600MWe PWR is expected to reach full capacity at the beginning of June 2002. Both units of Qinshan phase II should be fully operational by April 2003. The pressure vessel of unit 1, developed by the Shanghai Boiler Factory, passed a technical examination in Shanghai at the end of last year.
