The first generating unit at Tianwan nuclear power plant, a Sino-Russian cooperation project on the east China coast, began commercial operation on Thursday.

The first-phase development of the Tianwan plant -- which began in October 1999 -- saw the installation of two 1,060 MW AES-91 pressurized water reactors made by a Russian company.

The first generating unit was connected to the grid in May last year. It began generating at full capacity on Jan. 9. By May 1, it had generated 2.08 billion kwh of electricity, of which 1.86 billion kwh was transmitted to the grid.

Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang, a port city in Jiangsu province, is the largest ever technological and economic cooperation project between China and Russia.

The plant will have four generating units and space for four more.

The second generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in late December, said CNNC sources.

The two units combined are expected to generate 14 billion kwh of electricity a year.

In addition to the Tianwan plant, five more nuclear plants -- the first, second and third phases of Qinshan nuclear power plant, Daya Bay and Ling'ao -- are also connected to the grids.

The Chinese government is promoting the nuclear power sector by aiming at an installation of 40,000 MW by 2020, but even this only represents four percent of total national capacity.

Source: Xinhua