Chinese-made AP1000 fuel assemblies [Photo/CNNC]

The world’s first AP1000 third-generation nuclear reactor, Unit 1 of Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant, owned by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), will now be able to use Chinese-made fuel assemblies, as China’s first batch of AP1000 nuclear assemblies were transported to Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant on Aug 30 from CNNC subsidiary Nuclear North Nuclear Fuel.

This represents a milestone for China in the mass production of AP1000 fuel assemblies for Chinese nuclear plants.

It also showed that CNNC is now capable of mass producing common types of nuclear fuel assemblies.

Fuel assemblies make up the core of a nuclear reactor. They are essential to the safety, reliability, and efficiency of a nuclear power plant.

As the owner of China’s first AP1000 nuclear fuel assembly production line, CNNC will also work to develop CAP1400 fuel assemblies.

The production line began construction on March 28, 2012, and received accreditation in January 2017.

In June 2017, the line began producing AP1000 fuel assemblies for Unit 1 of Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant.

The world’s first AP1000 third-generation nuclear reactor, Unit 1 of Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant owned by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), will now be able to use China-made fuel assemblies, as China’s first batch of AP1000 nuclear assemblies were transported to Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant on Aug 30 from CNNC subsidiary Nuclear North Nuclear Fuel. [Photo/CNNC]