Framatome helps Chinese nuclear plant reach criticality

Guang Dong province, China – Framatome Advanced Nuclear Power (ANP, Paris France) recently announced that the Unit 1 reactor at Ling Ao nuclear power plant achieved core criticality on Feb. 4, which was three weeks ahead of schedule. Prior to initiating the unit’s nuclear reaction, a decisive step in plant startup, Framatome ANP supplied much of the plant’s two 1,000-MWe nuclear facilities, including reactor containment facilities, buildings, equipment, components, as well as support and training to plant owner, Ling Ao Nuclear Power Co. (LANPC).

LANPC will now begin physical tests to verify core competence. Power to the reactor will then be increased in stages. These operations will be carried out under the supervision of the Chinese national Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA). The unit is scheduled for connection to the grid at 10% power in March 2002. Commercial operation is set to take place in June 2002. Initial fuel loading at the Ling Ao plant was completed in December 2001.

Framatome attributes the success of these startup operations to the close working relationship between the firm and its many Chinese partners, both clients and subcontractors, in the years since the Ling Ao contract was signed in 1995.

Framatome ANP is jointly owned by Areva, which owns 66%, and Siemens, which owns 34%. It has a total workforce of 13,000 employees worldwide, and posts annual revenues of more than $2.3 billion.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editor jmontague@cahners.com

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