The AP1000® Plant is the world's first proven Generation III+ pressurized water reactor and passive safety plant available. It is a two-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR) that uses a simplified, innovative and effective approach to safety. With a gross power rating of 3,415 megawatt thermal (MWt) and a nominal net electrical output of 1,110 megawatt electric (MWe), the AP1000 Plant, with a 157-fuel-assembly core, is ideal for new baseload generation.
The established design of the AP1000 plant offers three distinct advantages over other designs:
Simplification was a major design objective of the AP1000 Plant. Simplifications in overall safety systems, normal operating systems, the control room, construction techniques, and instrumentation and control systems provide a plant that is easier and less expensive to build, operate and maintain. Plant simplifications yield fewer components, cable and seismic building volume, all of which contribute to considerable savings in capital investment, and lower operation and maintenance costs. At the same time, the safety margins for the AP1000 Plant have been increased dramatically over currently operating plants.
The innovative AP1000 plant design features:
The Westinghouse AP1000 pressurized water reactor (PWR) is the most advanced commercially available nuclear power plant. Find out what sets it apart.
The advanced-passive safety systems on the AP1000 PWR provide an unmatched level of defense-in-depth.