China, like several developed countries, is now capable of designing
and manufacturing 1,000-megawatt nuclear reactors, China National
Nuclear Corp (CNNC) President Li Dingfan said in Beijing.
CNNC has used the
latest technology to develop the new type of reactors, Li
noted. The reactors can be used in the construction of new
nuclear power plants, beginning as early as 2001, when the
10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05) begins, Li said.
The new reactors
will mean lower construction and operation costs for nuclear
power plants because reactors will not have to be imported,
Li added.
Experts said new
reactor is a significant milestone for China.
In 1991, the first
phase of the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in East China's Zhejiang
Province, with a capacity of 300 megawatts, went into operation.
It was the first nuclear power plant with equipment solely
designed, manufactured and operated by China. The 600-megawatt
second phase, also undertaken solely by China, will be completed
by 2002.
CNNC helped Pakistan
build the 300-megawatt Chashma Nuclear Power Plant.
China's total nuclear
power capacity has reached 2,100 megawatts. Currently, four
nuclear power plants with a total installed capacity of 6,600
megawatts are under construction in China.
Five months ago,
China reshuffled its nuclear industry management and operational
structure.
The construction wing of CNNC was split from the corporation
to form a new company, China Nuclear Engineering Construction
Corp.
CNNC now focuses
on nuclear power and nuclear fuel as its core businesses.
It transferred
its governmental administrative functions to the State Commission
of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.
(China Daily 12/16/1999)
|
