Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 19, On August 13, the first of two steam generators was successfully installed at unit 4 of the Haiyang nuclear power plant in Shandong province, China. The operation, completed in 3 hours and 22 minutes, marks a significant step in the construction of the facility. Each steam generator, measuring nearly 6 meters in diameter, 24 meters in length, and weighing over 630 tonnes, converts heat from the reactor core into steam to drive turbines for electricity generation.

State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), overseeing the project, stated: “The installation of the first steam generator - the heaviest and largest components of the nuclear island reactor’s primary circuit - has laid a solid foundation for the connection of the main circuit of the nuclear island reactor and the capping of the reactor building.” The successful hoisting ensures progress toward the unit’s operational timeline.

Drawing on experience from Haiyang unit 3, the project team implemented improvements, including daily coordination meetings, advanced laser 3D measurement, and modeling for installation simulations. SPIC noted that rigorous safety and quality controls, along with specialized inspections, ensured precise positioning during the hoisting process.

The Haiyang units 3 and 4, both CAP1000 reactors—a Chinese adaptation of the Westinghouse AP1000 design—received approval from China’s State Council on April 20, 2022. Construction began with the first safety-related concrete poured for unit 3 in July 2022 and for unit 4 in April 2023. Both units are expected to be fully operational by 2027, contributing to China’s clean energy goals.

This milestone at Haiyang unit 4 highlights the project’s focus on precision and safety, supporting the development of reliable nuclear energy infrastructure and advancing sustainable energy production in Shandong province.