The Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Jiangsu province already has four VVER-1000 water-energy reactors (using water to slow down and cool) out of six units in operation and is preparing to receive two more VVER-1200 reactors, making it the world's largest nuclear power plant in terms of output.

RT reported that the VVER-1200 reactor shell arrived at the plant's construction site for unit 7 on August 3, after a 2-month sea voyage from St. Petersburg.

These advanced devices are produced at the nuclear engineering company Atommash - a subsidiary of Russian nuclear energy corporation Rosatom - in Volgodonsk.

The VVER-1200 reactor is housed in a giant barrel-shaped pressure containment device 13 meters long, 4.5 meters wide, weighing 320 tons. Each reactor hull adds four steam generators, which convert thermal energy into a form that can be harnessed by steam turbines to generate electricity. They are similar in size, each weighing 340 tons.

In 2019, the Russian manufacturer signed a contract to build four VVER-1200 reactors for China's booming atomic industry.

Last month, the Russian side completed another set of VVER-1200 equipment, for unit 3 of China's northernmost Xudabao nuclear power plant, under construction in Liaoning province.

The reactor shell and steam generator for that station are also currently on their way to China. Meanwhile, the plant achieved an important milestone at the end of July when it completed and installed a 740-ton protective steel dome for the unit 3 building.

This operation was carried out in a single stage, in contrast to all previous Russian nuclear projects, in which dome installation required two stages. Streamlining this process allows construction to be completed six months ahead of schedule.

China currently has 24 nuclear power units under construction, according to state media.

Russia's Atommash company is responsible for completing five advanced reactors for both domestic and international customers this year.

It takes about 2 years to produce 1 VVER-1200 nuclear reactor. The Russian company aims to complete the next two bidding packages for the Xudabao and Tianwan factories by 2024.

VVER-1200 technology is an evolution of VVER-1000 by improving performance and enhancing device safety. With a power capacity of up to 1200MW and by combining measures between active and passive safety systems, VVER1200 technology reaches a level of economic efficiency and advanced technology in the world as well as other safety standards that satisfy the international energy community.