A glimpse into the nuclear power industry

China's 11 nuclear reactors use domestically-developed technology as well as imported technology from France, Russia and Canada, all of which is first or second generation technology. China is now focusing on developing third generation nuclear power technology.

Compared with reactors using first or second generation technology, reactors with third generation technology are simpler in design, thus reducing capital costs. They are also more fuel-efficient and safer.

Last year China set up the State Nuclear Power Technology Corp Ltd, which is mainly responsible for domestic development of nuclear power using advanced third generation technology from overseas. Last July, China and a consortium lead by the US-based Westinghouse Electric Co finalized a contract to build four third generation nuclear power reactors.

Under the agreement, China will use Westinghouse's AP1000 technology to build two reactors in Sanmen, Zhejiang province, and in Haiyang, Shandong province.

Four months after the Westinghouse contract was signed, China's Guangdong Nuclear Power Corp (CGNPC) signed an 8-billion-euro agreement with the French nuclear company Areva to supply the technology for two more nuclear reactors. Under the agreement signed during the first official visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to China, Areva will supply two third generation European pressurized reactors for a project in Taishan in Guangdong province.

Construction of the two reactors, each with a capacity of 1700 megawatts will begin in the fall of 2009. They are expected to begin operations in 2014, according to sources close to the deal.

(China Daily 10/20/2008 page2)