AP1000

The AP1000 is a two-loop pressurized water reactor sold by Westinghouse Electric Company.

In December 2005, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved the final design certification for the AP1000. This meant that prospective US builders could apply for a Combined Construction and Operating License before construction starts, whose validity is conditional upon the plant being built as designed, and that each AP1000 should be identical. Its design is the first Generation III+ reactor to receive final design approval from the U.S. NRC .

In 2008 China started building 4 units to the AP1000-2005 design.

In 2010, the NRC questioned the durability of the AP1000 reactor's original shield building in the face of severe external events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and airplane collisions. In response to these concerns Westinghouse prepared a modified design. A US consultant engineer has also criticized the AP1000 containment design arguing that, in the case of a design-basis accident, it could release radiation; Westinghouse has denied the claim. The NRC completed the overall design certification review for the amended AP1000 in September 2011. In December 2011, the NRC approved construction of the first US plant to use the design. On February 9, 2012 the NRC approved the construction of two new reactors