Russia’s Rosatom has launched power start-up operations at Unit 7 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and connected the 1.2 GW reactor to the Chinese grid. All systems operated under standard design conditions and the unit delivered its first electricity to the country’s power grid, according to the company (Interfax, 08/10/2026).
The Tianwan NPP is planned to comprise eight units in total. Unit 7 is expected to enter commercial operation later in 2026, while Unit 8, which remains under construction, is scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2027. Both units are designed to feature VVER-1200 reactors, each with a capacity of 1.2 GW. Once all eight units are operational, the plant’s total installed capacity is expected to exceed 9 GW.
In 2018, Rosatom and China’s CNNC signed a framework contract for the construction of Tianwan Units 7 and 8, based on VVER-1200 reactor technology. Construction work on both units began in 2021. Unit 7 is part of a four-unit project under China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation.
Interested in Power Plants?
Enerdata has developed a market research service to screen, monitor and analyse the development of power generation assets.
Power Plant Tracker offers an interactive database and a powerful search engine covering power plants worldwide – including both installed and planned capacities for renewables and fossil fuels.