Nuclear power has relatively recently become one of the main branches of energy, but the attitude towards nuclear power plants around the world remains ambiguous.
With significant advantages, mankind has not completely solved the problem of safety when using atomic energy. But today, nuclear power plants remain significant sources of energy, sometimes providing entire residential and industrial areas.
We take the criterion for the power of the generated energy and find out which is the largest nuclear power plant in the world.
12
Hamaoka
In the Japanese city of Omaedzaki, a scientific center for the study of nuclear energy has been operating for many years. Near the city in 1974, the Hamaoka 5-reactor nuclear power plant began to operate, with a total capacity of 3,617 MW.
Seismologists predict that in the next 30 years, a strong earthquake will take place in the station area. Therefore, the work of two reactors was suspended and unprecedented safety measures are being taken.
11
Balakovo NPP
The largest nuclear power plants in Russia are located mainly in the European part of the country. One of them, Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant, was commissioned in 1985.
With a total useful capacity of 4,000 MW, the station on the banks of the Saratov reservoir is the largest in the Russian Federation. As with most such facilities, the station pays great attention to safety.
It is at this Russian station that new equipment will be tested and tested, which is then used at other stations.
10
Palo verde
The only station in the world that uses wastewater from nearby cities to cool its reactors.
With 3 reactors, Palo Verde has a peak power of 4,174 MW at its peak, making the largest nuclear power plant in the United States. These indicators provide energy to cities with a population of more than 4 million people.
The uniqueness of the American station is that it is built and operates in a desert region, away from large reservoirs. By the way, on thebiggest.ru you can find a list of the most powerful hydroelectric power stations on the planet.
9
Hunyanhe
In the Chinese province of Liaoning, 4 power units of the Hunyanhe Station generate 4,437 MW of energy.
The station is located on the shores of the Yellow Sea Bay and the project plans to open 2 more reactors.
It is noteworthy that the reactor with a capacity of 1 million kW of the first power unit was completely designed and built by China.
8
Cutten
In terms of the amount of generated energy and capacity of 5,448 MW, Kattenom is third in France.
The uniqueness of this station is that it occupies a very small area, and the artificial lake Mirgenbach was specially created for the cooling system.
The reactors and components of the station are served by 1,200 people, and it began to generate energy in 1991.
7
Paluel
In the province of Upper Normandy, on the shores of the legendary English Channel, in 1985 two power units of the second most powerful (5,528 MW) nuclear power plant in France were launched.
A year later, two more reactors of a unique station were launched. Power plant "Paluel" is significantly removed from urban settlements. The nearest city of Dieppe is 40 kilometers away.
6
Gravelin
The reactors of the largest nuclear power plants in France and throughout Western Europe were launched between 1981 and 1985. The total capacity of Gravelin is 5,706 MW.
In terms of the number of operating reactors, France is second only to the United States, ahead of China, Japan, and Russia.
The station employs 1,680 people who carry out coordinated work of all components and assemblies, as well as ensure safety.
5
Yonwan (Hanbit)
The second most powerful station in South Korea is located near the city of Yonwan, by which it received its original name. The capacity of the South Korean station is 5,875 MW.
Interestingly, the renaming of nuclear power plants in 2013 was achieved by local fishermen who did not want their products to be associated with nuclear energy.
Due to the limited natural resources of South Korea, nuclear energy is developing quite rapidly, and the Asian country is firmly in fifth place in terms of the number of operating reactors.
4
Hanul
Previously, this South Korean station was called Ulchin, but in May 2013 it was renamed.
The total capacity of a large station is 5,881 MW, which makes it the most powerful in the South Asian region and the third in the world.
The station is constantly being improved and at the beginning of the first power unit in 1988, 5 reactors of various types were put into operation. In 2018, two more are planned to be launched.
3
Zaporizhzhya NPP
The largest station in Ukraine, Europe and the entire post-Soviet space was launched on the banks of the Dnieper in 1984. Today, the capacity of operating reactors is 6,000 MW.
After Ukraine lifted the moratorium on the construction of a nuclear power plant in 1995, 6 power units were launched.
Currently it is the largest electricity supplier in Ukraine. In recent years, in connection with the transition to American fuel, power units are shut off for ongoing repairs.
2
Bruce
This nuclear power plant, located in the Canadian province of Ontario, is the largest in North America, and its capacity is 7,965 MW.
Eight reactors are located on a vast area of 932 hectares. In 1990, due to a computer malfunction, an accident related to fuel overload occurred. The reactor was disabled for 3 months, but in general, the emergency protection system coped with the problem. Most of the water from the cooling system was localized and did not pollute the environment.
1
Kashiwazaki cariva
Of the existing Kashiwazaki-Kariva nuclear power plants in Niigata Prefecture, Japan is the most powerful in the world. After the 2007 earthquake, its capacity was reduced to 8,212 MW, but even now the station rightfully takes first place in terms of this indicator.
After the accident at Fukushima, the station was stopped in order to check all the units. The security system was slightly modified and launched again.
Note that the Japanese station produces more energy than all reactors operating in India.
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Conclusion
With a complex technological process, atomic energy remains the cheapest and humanity will not soon be able to completely abandon it. The largest accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima forced mankind to rethink its attitude to nuclear energy.
The temptation to increase the capacity of nuclear power plants is great, but, first of all, during the design and construction, as well as during the operation of the plants, they take into account environmental safety issues, minimizing radioactive contamination and protecting against the effects of natural elements.
TheBiggest editors are waiting for your comments on the use of nuclear energy.
Article author: Valery Skiba