Nuclear power in China
Encyclopedia
, the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

 has 14 nuclear power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...

 reactors spread out over 4 separate sites and 27 under construction. China's National Development and Reform Commission
National Development and Reform Commission
The National Development and Reform Commission , formerly State Planning Commission and State Development Planning Commission, is a macroeconomic management agency under the Chinese State Council, which has broad administrative and planning control over the Chinese economy...

 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 11.3 GW to be increased to 86 GW (more than France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 at 63 GW). However, rapid nuclear expansion may lead to a shortfall of fuel, equipment, qualified plant workers, and safety inspectors.

Due to increasing concerns about air quality and global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...

, nuclear power has been looked to as an alternative to coal power in China
Coal power in China
The People's Republic of China is the largest consumer of coal in the world, and is about to become the largest user of coal-derived electricity, generating 1.95 trillion kilowatt-hours per year, or 68.7% of its electricity from coal as of 2006...

. China has two major nuclear power companies, the China National Nuclear Corporation
China National Nuclear Corporation
The China National Nuclear Corporation was established on 16 September 1988 by a Government of China decree. CNNC's president and vice-president are appointed by the Premier of the State Council. However the CNNC is a self-supporting economic corporation, not a government administrative body. It...

 operating mainly in north-east China, and the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group
China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group
China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group is a major nuclear power corporation under the SASAC of the State Council.CGNPG currently owns Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station and Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station Phase I with nearly 4000 MWe of installed generating capacity, and there are six new...

 operating mainly in south-east China. The People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

 is also involved in the development of nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is the process by which two or more atomic nuclei join together, or "fuse", to form a single heavier nucleus. This is usually accompanied by the release or absorption of large quantities of energy...

 reactors through its participation in the ITER
ITER
ITER is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering project, which is currently building the world's largest and most advanced experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor at Cadarache in the south of France...

 project, having constructed an experimental nuclear fusion reactor known as EAST
EAST
The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak is an experimental superconducting tokamak magnetic fusion energy reactor in Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province, in eastern China. The experiment is being conducted by the Hefei-based Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of...

 located in Hefei
Hefei
Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Eastern China. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Anhui...

, as well as research and development into the thorium fuel cycle
Thorium fuel cycle
The thorium fuel cycle is a nuclear fuel cycle that uses the naturally abundant isotope of thorium, , as the fertile material. In the reactor, is transmuted into the fissile artificial uranium isotope which is the nuclear fuel. Unlike natural uranium, natural thorium contains only trace amounts...

 as a potential alternative means of nuclear fission
Nuclear fission
In nuclear physics and nuclear chemistry, nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts , often producing free neutrons and photons , and releasing a tremendous amount of energy...

.

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
The is a series of equipment failures, nuclear meltdowns, and releases of radioactive materials at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011. The plant comprises six separate boiling water reactors originally designed by General Electric ,...

 in Japan, 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. Although Zhang Lijun, Vice Minister of Environmental Protection, has indicated that China's overall nuclear energy strategy would continue, some commentators have suggested that additional safety-related costs and public opinion could cause a rethink in favor of an expanded renewable energy program.
In April 2011, China Daily
China Daily
The China Daily is an English language daily newspaper published in the People's Republic of China.- Overview :China Daily was established in June 1981 and has the widest print circulation of any English-language newspaper in the country...

reported that approvals for construction of nuclear power plants in marine areas have been suspended. The safety inspections were due to finish by October 2011, and the current status of the projects is unclear.

History

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
MWE
MWE may refer to:*Manufacturer's Weight Empty*McDermott Will & Emery*Midwest Express, an airline*Merowe Airport - IATA code*Multiword expressionMWe may refer to:*Megawatt electrical...

 PWR
Pressurized water reactor
Pressurized water reactors constitute a large majority of all western nuclear power plants and are one of three types of light water reactor , the other types being boiling water reactors and supercritical water reactors...

 at the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant
Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant
The Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant is a multi-unit nuclear plant under construction in Qinshan Town, Haiyan County, Zhejiang, the People's Republic of China. When completed, it may hold the record for the most nuclear reactors on one site; however, since the majority of the units are mid-size, it may...

, was connected to the grid.

Geography

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.
China's neighboring Guangdong and Lingao nuclear plants have around 28 million people within a 75-kilometre radius that covers Hong Kong.

Future projects

Currently, this is one of the most ambitious programs in the world with plans to have over 80 GWe
GWE
GWE could refer to:* gigawatt electrical; abbreviated as GWe.* Gwersyllt railway station, Wales; National Rail station code GWE.* Thornhill Airport, Gweru, Zimbabwe; IATA airport code GWE....

 (6%) of installed capacity by 2020, and a further increase to more than 200 GW (16%) by 2030, as agreed in the 22 March 2006 government "Long-term development plan for nuclear power industry from 2005 to 2020". 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
Generation III reactor
A generation III reactor is a development of any of the generation II nuclear reactor designs incorporating evolutionary improvements in design developed during the lifetime of the generation II reactor designs...

 designs such as the AP1000.

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:
  • Huaneng Group,
  • Huadian Group - Fujian Fuqing nuclear power project II and III
  • Datang Group,
  • China Power Investment Group - Jiangxi Pengze Nuclear
  • Guodian Group

Like the two nuclear companies China National Nuclear Corporation
China National Nuclear Corporation
The China National Nuclear Corporation was established on 16 September 1988 by a Government of China decree. CNNC's president and vice-president are appointed by the Premier of the State Council. However the CNNC is a self-supporting economic corporation, not a government administrative body. It...

 and China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group
China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group
China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group is a major nuclear power corporation under the SASAC of the State Council.CGNPG currently owns Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station and Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station Phase I with nearly 4000 MWe of installed generating capacity, and there are six new...

 (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. Prof He Zuoxiu
He Zuoxiu
He Zuoxiu is a Chinese physicist and member of Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is known as a "crusader" against supernatural and "unscientific thinking," and became famous in China for his criticism of the spiritual movement Falun Gong and support for its nationwide ban.In China, along with Sima...

, who was involved with China's atomic bomb program, has said that plans to expand production of nuclear energy twentyfold by 2030 could be disastrous, as China was seriously underprepared on the safety front. China's fast-expanding nuclear sector is opting for cheap technology that “will be 100 years old by the time dozens of its reactors reach the end of their lifespans”, according to diplomatic cables from the US embassy in Beijing.

The rush to build new nuclear power plants may “create problems for effective management, operation and regulatory oversight” with the biggest potential bottleneck being human resources – “coming up with enough trained personnel to build and operate all of these new plants, as well as regulate the industry”.

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". 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.

Reactor Technology

CPR-1000

The most numerous reactor type under construction is the CPR-1000
CPR-1000
The CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor, based on the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, improved to have a net power output of 1,000 MWe and a 60 year design life....

, with fifteen units under construction , and another 15 approved and proposed. 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
Areva
AREVA is a French public multinational industrial conglomerate headquartered in the Tour Areva in Courbevoie, Paris. AREVA is mainly known for nuclear power; it also has interests in other energy projects. It was created on 3 September 2001, by the merger of Framatome , Cogema and...

 however, which limits CPR-1000 overseas sales potential.
AP1000

The Westinghouse AP1000 is the main basis of China's move to Generation III technology, and involves a major technology transfer agreement. It is a 1250 MWe gross reactor with two coolant loops. The first four AP1000 reactors are being built at Sanmen and Haiyang, for CNNC and CPI respectively. At least eight more at four sites are firmly planned after them, and about 30 more are proposed to follow.
EPR

In 2007 negotiations were started with the French company Areva
Areva
AREVA is a French public multinational industrial conglomerate headquartered in the Tour Areva in Courbevoie, Paris. AREVA is mainly known for nuclear power; it also has interests in other energy projects. It was created on 3 September 2001, by the merger of Framatome , Cogema and...

 concerning the European Pressurized Reactor
European Pressurized Reactor
The EPR is a third generation pressurized water reactor design. It has been designed and developed mainly by Framatome , Electricité de France in France, and Siemens AG in Germany...

 (EPR), third generation reactors. Two Areva EPR reactors are being built at Taishan, and at least two more are planned (see section below on Embarking upon Generation III plants). Areva says the reactors are 4590 MWt, with net power 1660 MWe.

In October 2008, Areva and CGNPC announced establishment of an engineering joint venture as a technology transfer vehicle for development EPR and other PWR plants in China and later abroad. The JV will be held 55% by CGNPC and other Chinese interests, and 45% by Areva. It will engineer and procure equipment for both the EPR and the CPR-1000.

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
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...

.
Shu Guogang, GM of China Guangdong Nuclear Power Project said, "We built 55 percent of Ling Ao Phase 2, 70 percent of Hongyanhe
Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant
The Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant is one of the newest NPP projects in the world as of 2007. It is located in Donggang Town, Wafangdian in the Liaoning Province of China. The site is within the Prefecture-level city of Dalian, 104 km north of Dalian City proper...

, 80 percent of Ningde
Ningde Nuclear Power Plant
Ningde Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant in Fujian province, China.The site is located in Beiwan village in the town of Qinyu, Fuding, Ningde, Fujian....

 and 90 percent of Yangjiang Station."

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.
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.

In December 2009, a Chinese joint venture was set up to build an initial CAP1400 near the HTR-10
HTR-10
HTR-10 is a 10 MWt prototype pebble bed reactor at Tsinghua University in China. Construction began in 2000 and it achieved first criticality in January 2003.In 2005, China announced its intention to scale up HTR-10 for commercial power generation...

 Shidaowan site. Construction is expected to start in 2013, operating in 2017.
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
Generation III reactor
A generation III reactor is a development of any of the generation II nuclear reactor designs incorporating evolutionary improvements in design developed during the lifetime of the generation II reactor designs...

 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.
VVER-1000

Russia's Atomstroyexport was general contractor and equipment provider for the Tianwan AES-91 power plants using the V-428 version of the well-proven VVER-1000 reactor of 1060 MWe capacity. The reactors incorporate Finnish safety features and Siemens-Areva instrumentation and control systems. Russia's Energoatom is responsible for maintenance from 2009. Two further Tianwan units will use the same version of the VVER-1000 reactor.

Major nuclear power plants under construction

Name Maximum capacity Current phase capacity Construction started Active capacity Scheduled completion Reactor types
Ningde
Ningde Nuclear Power Plant
Ningde Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant in Fujian province, China.The site is located in Beiwan village in the town of Qinyu, Fuding, Ningde, Fujian....

6,000 MW 4,000 MW 2008-02-18 Feb. 18, 2008 0 MW 2012 CPR-1000 3 × CPR-1000
CPR-1000
The CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor, based on the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, improved to have a net power output of 1,000 MWe and a 60 year design life....

Hongyanhe
Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant
The Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant is one of the newest NPP projects in the world as of 2007. It is located in Donggang Town, Wafangdian in the Liaoning Province of China. The site is within the Prefecture-level city of Dalian, 104 km north of Dalian City proper...

6,000 MW 4,000 MW 2007-08-27 Aug. 18, 2007 0 MW 2014 CPR-1000 2 × CPR-1000
CPR-1000
The CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor, based on the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, improved to have a net power output of 1,000 MWe and a 60 year design life....

Yangjiang 6,000 MW 4,000 MW 2007-09-26 Sept. 26, 2007 0 MW 2013/4/5/6 CPR-1000 4 × CPR-1000
CPR-1000
The CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor, based on the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, improved to have a net power output of 1,000 MWe and a 60 year design life....

Ling'ao 4,000 MW 1,000 MW 1997-05 May 1997 3,000 MW 2012 CPR-1000 4 × CPR-1000
CPR-1000
The CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor, based on the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, improved to have a net power output of 1,000 MWe and a 60 year design life....

Qinshan
Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant
The Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant is a multi-unit nuclear plant under construction in Qinshan Town, Haiyan County, Zhejiang, the People's Republic of China. When completed, it may hold the record for the most nuclear reactors on one site; however, since the majority of the units are mid-size, it may...

4,340 MW 1,300 MW 1984 1984 3,040 MW 2012 PWR, PHWR
Fangjiashan
Fangjiashan Nuclear Power Plant
Fangjiashan Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant in the Zhejiang province, China, adjacent to the existing Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant.Two 1,080 megawatt CPR-1000 pressurized water reactors are under construction, at a total cost of 26 billion yuan .'First concrete' for the...

2,000 MW 2,000 MW 2008-04 April 2008 0 MW 2013/2014 CPR-1000 2 × CPR-1000
CPR-1000
The CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor, based on the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, improved to have a net power output of 1,000 MWe and a 60 year design life....

Fuqing
Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant
The Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant in Fuqing, Fujian Province, PRC.The plant is on the coast at the foot of Qiwei Mountain, near Qianxue Village, Sanshan Town....

6,000 MW 2,000 MW 2007-10 Oct. 2007 0 MW 2013/2014 CPR-1000 2 × CPR-1000
CPR-1000
The CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor, based on the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, improved to have a net power output of 1,000 MWe and a 60 year design life....

Sanmen
Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant
The Sanmen Nuclear Power Station is a nuclear power station under construction in Sanmen County, Zhejiang Province in China. Groundbreaking for the first and second units was held February 26, 2008, and construction is planned to start on the third and fourth units during 2009...

6,000 MW 2,000 MW 2008-02-26 Feb. 26, 2008 0 MW 2013/2014 AP1000 2 × AP1000
Haiyang
Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant
Two units at the Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant are under construction in Haiyang, Shandong province, China. It is planned to go online in 2014 and will be the second site to house AP1000 units, after the Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant. Groundbreaking happened one month ahead of schedule on...

8,700 MW 2,000 MW 2008-07-29 July 29, 2008 0 MW 2015 AP1000 2 × AP1000
Taishan
Taishan Nuclear Power Plant
Two units at the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant are under construction in Chixizhen, Taishan, Guangdong province, China.It is planned to go online in 2013 and will be the third site to house Areva's 1,700 megawatt European Pressurized Reactor units.The project is owned by Guangdong Taishan...

6,000 MW 3,400 MW 2008-08-26 Aug. 26, 2008 0 MW 2013 EPR 2 × EPR
European Pressurized Reactor
The EPR is a third generation pressurized water reactor design. It has been designed and developed mainly by Framatome , Electricité de France in France, and Siemens AG in Germany...

 
Xianning
Xianning Nuclear Power Plant
The Xianning Nuclear Power Plant is under construction in Dafanzhen, Tongshan County, Xianning, Hubei Province, China.It is planned to host at least four 1,250 megawatt AP1000 pressurized water reactors....

10,000 MW 2,000 MW 2008-08-12 Aug. 12, 2008 0 MW 2015 2 x AP1000 
Total 65,040 MW 27,700 MW 6,040 MW

Organizations

  • China National Nuclear Corporation
    China National Nuclear Corporation
    The China National Nuclear Corporation was established on 16 September 1988 by a Government of China decree. CNNC's president and vice-president are appointed by the Premier of the State Council. However the CNNC is a self-supporting economic corporation, not a government administrative body. It...

  • China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group
    China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group
    China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group is a major nuclear power corporation under the SASAC of the State Council.CGNPG currently owns Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station and Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station Phase I with nearly 4000 MWe of installed generating capacity, and there are six new...

  • China Nuclear International Uranium Corporation
    China Nuclear International Uranium Corporation
    The China Nuclear International Uranium Corporation is a Chinese Government owned corporation involved in prospecting, and eventually mining, overseas sources of Uranium....


See also

  • Economy of the People's Republic of China
    Economy of the People's Republic of China
    The People's Republic of China ranks since 2010 as the world's second largest economy after the United States. It has been the world's fastest-growing major economy, with consistent growth rates of around 10% over the past 30 years. China is also the largest exporter and second largest importer of...

  • Energy policy of China
    Energy policy of China
    The energy policy of the People's Republic of China is a policy decided on by the Central Government with regard to energy and energy resources. The country is currently the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases according to a Dutch research agency. However, China's per capita emissions are...

  • List of nuclear reactors#China
  • Nuclear power by country
    Nuclear power by country
    Thirty countries operate nuclear power stations, and there are a considerable number of new reactors being built in China, South Korea, India, Pakistan, and Russia...

  • Nuclear energy policy
    Nuclear energy policy
    Nuclear energy policy is a national and international policy concerning some or all aspects of nuclear energy, such as mining for nuclear fuel, extraction and processing of nuclear fuel from the ore, generating electricity by nuclear power, enriching and storing spent nuclear fuel and nuclear fuel...

  • Nuclear renaissance
    Nuclear renaissance
    Since about 2001 the term nuclear renaissance has been used to refer to a possible nuclear power industry revival, driven by rising fossil fuel prices and new concerns about meeting greenhouse gas emission limits. At the same time, various barriers to a nuclear renaissance have been identified...

  • Strategic uranium reserves
    Strategic uranium reserves
    Strategic uranium reserves refer to uranium inventories held by the government of a particular country, as well as private industry, for the purpose of providing economic and national security during an energy crisis.-North America:...

  • EAST
    EAST
    The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak is an experimental superconducting tokamak magnetic fusion energy reactor in Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province, in eastern China. The experiment is being conducted by the Hefei-based Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of...

     - experimental nuclear fusion
    Nuclear fusion
    Nuclear fusion is the process by which two or more atomic nuclei join together, or "fuse", to form a single heavier nucleus. This is usually accompanied by the release or absorption of large quantities of energy...

     reactor located in Hefei
    Hefei
    Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Eastern China. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Anhui...


External links

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