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Nuclear Power Development in China the Country Is Seeking to Develop a Diversified Energy Base

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Nuclear Power Development in China the Country Is Seeking to Develop a Diversified Energy Base Special reports Nuclear power development in China The country is seeking to develop a diversified energy base by Zhou Ping Energy availability is an important issue for eco- China's need to develop nuclear power nomic development and higher standards of living. In An overall economic development programme has line with worldwide population growth and the rise of been drawn up in China for the complete achievement of living standards, global energy consumption has the Four Modernizations of Socialism. The implementa- increased steadily. It has been estimated that conven- tion of this plan depends primarily on energy develop- tional energy sources, such as petroleum and natural ment. It is commonly known that China possesses gas, would last only a few more decades at the present abundant energy resources, but due to a large popula- rate of consumption. With the depletion of conventional tion, per capita energy consumption is low. The situa- energy sources, and the technological development that tion is further aggravated by an uneven distribution of has kept pace with it, the inevitable trend in energy sup- energy resources: 80% of proven coal deposits are ply has been, and will be, a move away from fossil fuels located in the northern part of China. South China, com- and towards a variety of alternative energy sources. In prising eight provinces, contributes only 2%. Regarding the course of this inevitable diversification, nuclear hydroelectric resources, 70% are concentrated in south- energy, among other sources, becomes an alternative west China. While the three major regions (East, North- that is practical and capable of supplying large amounts east and South-Central China) account for 63 % of the of energy required by mankind in the near future. population and 65% of the nation's energy consumption, Nations around the world now accept nuclear genera- they only have available to them about 15 % of the coun- tion, and it has become the general trend in energy try's energy reserves. development. In comparison with other forms of energy, This has resulted in an inequitable situation, where nuclear energy now plays a progressively more impor- economic development in China has tended to concen- tant role around the world. Despite the accidents at trate in the East, while most energy resources lie in the Three Mile Island (TMI) and Chernobyl, the historical West. This paradox was partially solved in the past by course of development in energy has not been altered. transporting coal to the South from the North, and trans- mitting electricity to the East from the West. Such meas- Mr Zhou is Vice Minister, Ministry of Nuclear Industry, and China's ures, of course, caused overloading of China's Governor to the IAEA Board of Governors. transportation system, and cities in southeast China Site of Qinshan nuclear power plant construction. IAEA BULLETIN, 2/1987 43 Special reports remained hampered by a serious undersupply of electric- Status of nuclear power in China ity. For example, the economically developed province Qinshan project. In accordance with the general of Guangdong has a per capita energy consumption of policy of positively developing appropriate nuclear 350 kilowatt-hours per year, which is lower than the power, China's nuclear development programme is national average, not to mention the energy consumption proceeding methodically, with emphasis being placed on of industrialized countries. To fundamentally correct the selected projects. In June 1983, national construction inappropriate distribution and composition of energy started on a self-designed 300 megawatt-electric (MWe) resources, the Chinese Government has formulated a nuclear power plant, a pressurized-water reactor positive policy for developing appropriate nuclear (PWR), in Qinshan, Zhejiang Province. As of October power, taking into consideration the situation in China 1986, the pouring and reinforcing of concrete for the and energy development around the world. Specifically, reactor containment, and the welding of the steel lining, this would mean that as it concentrates on the develop- had reached elevation levels of 34 and 42 metres, ment of thermal and hydroelectric power, China would respectively. The entire project is progressing smoothly methodically develop suitable nuclear power, with on schedule. This nuclear power plant is planned to be emphasis on some selected projects. In the industrially put into operation in 1989. developed coastal areas of southeast China, which suffer from transportation bottlenecks and a serious shortage of Daya Bay project. The nuclear power station at Daya conventional energy, and in northeast China, where Bay in Guangdong Province comprises two 900-MWe there is a concentration of energy-consuming heavy PWR units. This is a large sized power station being industry, nuclear power would be developed to supple- built with foreign investment and imported equipment ment the existing inadequate supply of energy. and technology. The GNPJVC, the acronym for a joint company, would be responsible for its construction. The nuclear island will be supplied by the French company National experience and capability Framatome, and the conventional island by the British General Electric Company. Electricite de France will China possesses over 30 years of experience in the assume responsibility for overall project technical serv- nuclear industry. The technology and material means for ices. The Bank of China has been entrusted with the developing nuclear power is on hand because: responsibility of arranging the finances for this project • China has fairly abundant deposits of uranium, which from foreign banks. All contracts relating to this project forms the necessary material basis for developing were formally signed in Beijing on 23 September 1986. nuclear power. These contracts related to equipment supply, project • With respect to a nuclear fuel industry, China has service, nuclear fuel assemblies, and loan agreements. already built up a fairly complete fuel cycle, ranging This marked the beginning of the new stage of overall from uranium geology and exploration, uranium con- construction, the conclusion of contract negotiations centration, reactor fuel element manufacture, and lasting approximately 8 years, and preliminary project reprocessing of spent fuel elements. preparations. The contracts stipulate that the two units of • China has acquired definite experience in the design, the Guangdong nuclear power station should be put into construction, and operation of reactors. Using her own commerical operation in 1991 and 1992, with an annual technology, China has designed and built over a dozen generation of 10 000 million kilowatt-hours. Of the different types of reactors, such as production reactors, energy generated, 70% will be sold to Hong Kong at a research reactors, and power reactors. In reactor opera- competitive price, while the other 30% will be fed into tion and safety, 160 reactor-years of experience have the Guangdong network. Without doubt, the completion been accumulated. of the Guangdong nuclear power station will play an • An experienced and well-trained team of profes- important role in contributing to the prosperity and sta- sionals, covering a wide field of expertise, now exists bility of the Hong Kong region, as well as to the eco- within the country. They are able to meet the needs of nomic development of Guangdong Province. the nation's nuclear power development programme. During the Seventh Five Year Plan, in addition to the • A series of educational institutions now exist that projects at Qingshan and Daya Bay, two nuclear power form the basis for the training of nuclear specialists, units, each 600-MWe, are contemplated at the same site covering a wide field of expertise. Well-known institu- as the 300-MWe Qinshan nuclear power plant. The tions of higher learning, such as Qing Hua and Beijing China Nuclear Engineering Corporation, under the universities, have trained a large number of specialists Ministry of Nuclear Industry, will be reponsible for the and technologists for the nuclear industry. second phase of construction at the Qingshan nuclear • In the development of her nuclear industry, China has power plant. The policy to be followed will be one of attached special importance to extensive international basic self-reliance, with the assistance of international co-operation and exchange, thereby mastering advanced co-operation; i.e. the major equipment will be Chinese, experience and technologies in the international scene. but some equipment will be imported. This project will All these points form a solid base for China's be completed and put into commerical operation soon development of nuclear power. after 1993. Preliminary preparation is now proceeding. 44 IAEA BULLETIN, 2/1987 Special reports Guangdong nuclear power plant, planned for two 900-MWe units. Future prospects and plans (FBR) and high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). At present, valuable work in exploration and As previously mentioned, the general policy for research is being conducted in these fields. nuclear power development in China is to positively It is well known that China is firmly implementing develop appropriate nuclear power. In the near future, the policy of opening to the outside world, while it is not expected that nuclear power plants will be built proceeding with her Four Modernizations programme. in large numbers, or at high speed, mainly because This policy will also guide the development of nuclear abundant
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