China, the world’s second-biggest fuel user, is in talks with Russia and France on possible cooperation to build fourth-generation nuclear reactors as global demand for clean energy rises.
The world’s fastest-growing major economy is developing nuclear energy to cut reliance on more polluting coal and oil and meet domestic consumption. China’s self-sufficiency in reactor design and construction and its emergence as an exporter of nuclear technology would increase competition for Areva SA and Electricite de France SA, Europe’s biggest power producers.
“If China is doing 10 pressurized water reactors a year, there’ll be a big economic incentive to do something better,” said Steve Kidd, head of strategy and research at World Nuclear Association, referring to China’s foray into fourth-generation reactors. “The technology could come earlier than people think, could be 2025.”
State-owned China National Nuclear may start building two 800-megawatt experimental fast reactors around 2013 and operations may start before 2020, said Xu Mi. Fourth-generation technology reactors produce minimal radioactive waste and are fuel efficient.
‘Experimental Program’
China plans to master the technology by 2020, Liu Jing, the deputy director of nuclear power at China National Nuclear, said in a separate interview. The company has started an “experimental program for the fast-reactor technology for commercial use.”
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Worldwide competition for uranium resources is rising as governments accelerate plans for nuclear power expansions amid a global drive to cut carbon emissions.http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-19/china-power-investment-to-build-more-nuclear-plants-update1-.html
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