Four 1.25 million kW nuclear power units using the AP1000 technology are expected to be installed in the first phase
– Edited by Chris Smith –
The first nuclear power plant in Jilin Province is scheduled to start construction in 2012, said Wang Rulin, Deputy Governor of Jilin, in the Government Work Report. The Chisong nuclear project, to be located in Jingyu County, will involve an investment of RMB 85 billion in total, with six 1.25 million kW nuclear power units.
Four 1.25 million kW nuclear power units using the AP1000 technology are expected to be installed in the first phase. Upon the completion of the project, the annual output value of the nuclear power plant is expected to reach RMB 22.5 billion.
Wang also noted that the government will also facilitate the development of other new energy projects to meet the growing demand, especially the construction of a 10 million-kW wind power base and a wind power generation equipment manufacturing base.
China's nuclear industry is relatively young. Qinshan 1, the country's oldest unit, went on line in 1991. Although the aging of the world's nuclear fleet has raised concerns about safety, it is difficult to gage the impact of age on performance or safety. Some reactors have operated for over four decades without substantial problems. The relative newness of the reactor involved in the Chernobyl disaster could not compensate for a faulty design. It seems reasonable to assume that, conversely, a well-designed, well-built reactor can not compensate for slipshod maintenance and lack of experience.
The reactors in China are not just new, but the Chinese government has selected from the best technology the world has to offer. For the companies producing this technology, the consequences of a reactor or supporting equipment failing to perform to standards can be significant. Failure is likely to have impact not only on attaining future construction contracts in China, but in any other market. With so much at stake, it can be assumed that foreign companies are as anxious as the Chinese government to ensure that the reactors are well maintained.
The government has been very careful to ensure that Chinese workers and engineers participate in all the nuclear projects. As a result, they are building not just nuclear plants, but a highly trained, very knowledgeable work force. Government support, new technology, and a workforce benefiting from the experience of technical experts in dozens of countries are advantages that any country interested in nuclear technology would envy.