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*[http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf63.html Nuclear power in China] — [[World Nuclear Association]]
*[http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf63.html Nuclear power in China] — [[World Nuclear Association]]
* [http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/China.php Maps of Nuclear Power Reactors: China]
* [http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/China.php Maps of Nuclear Power Reactors: China]
*[http://www.flixya.com/photo/2033271/china-nuclear-power phonto of Nuclear power in China]

{{Nuclear power in China}}
{{Nuclear power in China}}
{{Energy in the People's Republic of China}}
{{Energy in the People's Republic of China}}

Revision as of 13:13, 13 April 2011

As of 2011, the People's Republic of China has 13 nuclear power reactors spread out over 4 separate sites and 27 under construction.[1][2] China's National Development and Reform Commission has indicated the intention to raise the percentage of China's electricity produced by nuclear power from the current 1% to 6% by 2020 (compared to 20% in the USA as of 2008). This will require the current installed capacity of 10.2 GW to be increased to 70–80 GW (more than France at 63 GW).[3] However, rapid nuclear expansion may lead to a shortfall of fuel, equipment, qualified plant workers, and safety inspectors.[4]

Due to increasing concerns about air quality and global warming, nuclear power has been looked to as an alternative to coal power in China.[5][6] China has two major nuclear power companies, the China National Nuclear Corporation operating mainly in north-east China, and the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group operating mainly in south-east China.[7] The People's Republic of China is also involved in the development of nuclear fusion reactors through its participation in the ITER project, having constructed an experimental nuclear fusion reactor known as EAST located in Hefei,[8] as well as research and development into the thorium fuel cycle as a potential alternative means of nuclear fission.[9]

During the nuclear emergencies at Japan's Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, China announced on 16 March 2011, that all nuclear plant approvals were being frozen, and that 'full safety checks' of existing reactors would be made.[10][11] Although Zhang Lijun, Vice Minister of Environmental Protection, has indicated that China's overall nuclear energy strategy would continue,[11] some commentators have suggested that additional safety-related costs and public opinion could cause a rethink in favor of an expanded renewable energy program.[11][12] In April 2011, China Daily reported that approvals for construction of nuclear power plants in marine areas have been suspended.[13]

History

Template:Histinfo

On 8 February 1970, China issued its first nuclear power plan, and the 728 Institute (now called Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute) was founded. On 15 December 1991, China's first nuclear power reactor, a 288 MWe PWR at the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, was connected to the grid.[14]

Geography

class=notpageimage|
Nuclear power plants in China (view)
 Active plants
 Under construction plants
 Firmly planned plants

Most nuclear power plants in China are located on the coast and generally use seawater for cooling a direct once-through cycle. The New York Times has reported that China is placing many of its nuclear plants near large cities, and there is a concern that tens of millions of people could be exposed to radiation in the event of an accident.[7]

Future projects

Currently, this is one of the most ambitious programs in the world with plans to have over 70 GWe (5%) of installed capacity by 2020, and a further increase to more than 250 GW (16%) by 2030,[15] as agreed in the 22 March 2006 government "Long-term development plan for nuclear power industry from 2005 to 2020".[14] The State Council Research Office (SCRO) has recommended that China aim for no more than 100 GW before 2020 (built and building), in order to avoid a shortfall of fuel, equipment and qualified plant workers. It expressed concern that China is building several dozen more Generation 2 reactors, and recommended shifting faster to Generation 3 designs such as the AP1000.[16][17]

The role of the IPPs

The first major successful profitable commercial project was the Daya Bay Nuclear Plant, which is 25% owned by CLP Group of Hong Kong and exports 70% of its electricity to Hong Kong. Such imports supply 20% of Hong Kong's electricity.

In order to access the capital needed to meet the 2020 target of 80GW, China has begun to grant equity in nuclear projects to China's Big Five power corporations:

Like the two nuclear companies China National Nuclear Corporation and China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group (CGNPG) the Big Five are State-owned "Central Enterprises" (中央企业) administered by SASAC. However, unlike the two nuclear companies, they have listed subsidiaries in Hong Kong and a broad portfolio of thermal, hydro and wind.

Safety and regulation

Inside China, and outside the country, the speed of the nuclear construction program has raised safety concerns for some people[who?]. The challenge for the government and nuclear companies is to "keep an eye on a growing army of contractors and subcontractors who may be tempted to cut corners".[7] China is advised to maintain nuclear safeguards in a business culture where quality and safety are sometimes sacrificed in favor of cost-cutting, profits, and corruption. China has asked for international assistance in training more nuclear power plant inspectors.[7]

Technology

The most numerous reactor type under construction is the CPR-1000, with fifteen units under construction as of June 2010. This reactor type is a Chinese development of the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, with most of the components now built in China. Intellectual property rights are retained by Areva however, which limits CPR-1000 overseas sales potential.[5]

Operating and ordered reactors include a variety of foreign technology, including some of the most advanced third generation reactors designs. AP1000 import and technology transfer agreements were made in 2006 and 2007.[14] In 2007 negotiations were started with the French company Areva concerning the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), third generation reactors. China plans to develop a domestic program to become self-sufficient in reactor design and construction, as well as other parts of the fuel cycle, though they currently operate using imported Uranium. Shu Guogang, GM of China Guangdong Nuclear Power Project said, "We built 55 percent of Ling Ao Phase 2, 70 percent of Hongyanhe, 80 percent of Ningde and 90 percent of Yangjiang Station."[18]

In 2008, Westinghouse Electric Co., designer of the AP1000, announced that China wants to have 100 nuclear reactors in operation or under construction by 2020.

On 15 July 2010, China’s first CPR-1000 nuclear power plant, Ling Ao-3, was first connected to the grid.[19]

CAP1400 development

In 2008 and 2009 Westinghouse made agreements to work with the State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) and other institutes to develop a larger version of the AP1000, probably of 1400 MWe capacity, possibly followed by a 1700 MWe design. China will own the intellectual property rights for these larger designs. Exporting the new larger units may be possible with Westinghouse's cooperation.[5]

In December 2009, a Chinese joint venture was set up to build an initial CAP1400 near the HTR-10 Shidaowan site. Construction is expected to start in 2013, operating in 2017.[5]

ACPR-1000 development

In 2010 the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corporation announced the ACPR-1000 design, a further design evolution of the CPR-1000 to a Generation III level, which would also replace intellectual property right limited components. CGNPC aims to be able to independently market the ACPR-1000 for export by 2013.[20]

Major nuclear power plants under construction

Name Maximum capacity Current phase capacity Construction started Active capacity Scheduled completion Reactor types
Ningde 6,000 MW 4,000 MW 2008-02-18 Feb. 18, 2008 0 MW 2012 CPR-1000 3 × CPR-1000[5]
Hongyanhe 6,000 MW 4,000 MW 2007-08-27 Aug. 18, 2007 0 MW 2014 CPR-1000 4 × CPR-1000[21]
Yangjiang 6,000 MW 4,000 MW 2007-09-26 Sept. 26, 2007 0 MW CPR-1000 2 × CPR-1000[21][22]
Ling'ao 4,000 MW 1,000 MW 1997-05 May 1997 3,000 MW 2012 CPR-1000 2 × CPR-1000[21]
Qinshan 4,340 MW 1,300 MW 1984 1984 3,040 MW PWR, PHWR
Fangjiashan 2,000 MW 2,000 MW 2008-04 April 2008 0 MW 2013/2014 CPR-1000 2 × CPR-1000[23]
Fuqing 6,000 MW 2,000 MW 2007-10 Oct. 2007 0 MW 2013/2014 CPR-1000 2 × CPR-1000[24]
Sanmen 6,000 MW 2,000 MW 2008-02-26 Feb. 26, 2008 0 MW 2013/2014 AP1000 2 × AP1000[25][26]
Haiyang 8,700 MW 2,000 MW 2008-07-29 July 29, 2008 0 MW 2015 AP1000 2 × AP1000[25][26]
Taishan 6,000 MW 3,400 MW 2008-08-26 Aug. 26, 2008 0 MW 2013 EPR 2 × EPR [27][28]
Xianning 10,000 MW 2,000 MW 2008-08-12 Aug. 12, 2008 0 MW 2015 N/A [29]
Total 65,040 MW 27,700 MW 6,040 MW

Organizations

See also

References

  1. ^ International Atomic Energy Agency (2011). "Power Reactor Information System". IAEA.
  2. ^ "World Nuclear Power Reactors & Uranium Requirements". World Nuclear Association (WNA). 6 February 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  3. ^ Suga, Masumi (September 7, 2009). "China to Build More Nuclear Plants, Japan Steel Says". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2011-02-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "China Should Control Pace of Reactor Construction, Outlook Says". Bloomberg News. January 11, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Nuclear Power in China". World Nuclear Association. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  6. ^ http://fjnews.66163.com/Fujian_w/dskx/20080307/xs243665.html
  7. ^ a b c d Keith Bradsher (December 15, 2009). "Nuclear Power Expansion in China Stirs Concerns". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
  8. ^ "China to build world's first "artificial sun" experimental device". People's Daily Online. 2006-01-21.
  9. ^ Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, 20 March 2011, Safe nuclear does exist, and China is leading the way with thorium, Telegraph UK
  10. ^ By the CNN Wire Staff. "China freezes nuclear plant approvals - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2011-03-16. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ a b c Will China's nuclear nerves fuel a boom in green energy? Channel 4, published 2011-03-17, accessed 2011-03-17
  12. ^ China’s Nuclear Energy Program Post-Fukushima China Bystander, published 2011-03-16, accessed 2011-03-17
  13. ^ Chris Oliver (April 6, 2011). "China suspends waterfront nuclear-power approvals". Market Watch.
  14. ^ a b c Daogang Lu (May 2010). "The Current Status of Chinese Nuclear Power Industry and Its Future". E-Journal of Advanced Maintenance. 2 (1). Japan Society of Maintenology. Retrieved 14 August 2010. {{cite journal}}: More than one of |work= and |journal= specified (help)
  15. ^ "China ups targeted nuclear power share from 4% to 5% for 2020". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-08-05. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  16. ^ "Maintain nuclear perspective, China told". World Nuclear News. WNA. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  17. ^ "A Reasonable Grasp of the Scale and Pace of Development of Nuclear Power". Outlook (in Chinese). Xinhua. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-15.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) (Google translation into English.)
  18. ^ "China aims to build its own nuclear power stations". China Central Television. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  19. ^ "First power at China's Ling Ao". Nuclear Engineering International. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  20. ^ "China prepares to export reactors". World Nuclear News. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  21. ^ a b c "Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning officially started" (in Chinese). August 18, 2007. Retrieved 2011-02-15. (Google translation into English.)
  22. ^ "China Guangdong Nuclear Power: third generation technology is useless to accelerate nuclear power construction for Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station" (in Chinese). January 29, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-15. (Google translation into English.)
  23. ^ "Nuclear Power Station expansion project started excavation for the nuclear island" (in Chinese). April 7, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-15. (Google translation into English.)
  24. ^ http://www1.cfi.net.cn/newspage.aspx?id=20080619001112&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
  25. ^ a b "Fuqing nuclear power plants through the environmental assessment" (in Chinese). 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2011-02-15. (Google translation into English.)
  26. ^ a b "Zhejiang Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant nuclear island excavation has been completed" (in Chinese). August 12, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-15. (Google translation into English.)
  27. ^ "Taishan nuclear power project in the second half to three generations of EPR nuclear island foundation with negative digging conditions" (in Chinese). August 12, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-15. (Google translation into English.)
  28. ^ "Guangdong Taishan Nuclear Power Station was officially launched a project to dig the nuclear island negative" (in Chinese). August 27, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-15. (Google translation into English.)
  29. ^ "China's first inland nuclear power project - Xianning nuclear power plant - enters construction phase" (in Chinese). August 15, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-15. (Google translation into English.)
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