10 June 2004 05:30
Expert forecasts intensive development of nuclear plants in China with
Russian participation
BEIJING. June 10 (Interfax-China) - Chinese electricity specialists and officials believe that intensified
construction of nuclear power plants would end the crisis with low electrical supplies, Prof. Lin Yueqin from the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Economics Institute told Interfax.
index is 17%. So it is planned to increase the construction of nuclear
power plants. Such plants will be built in Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei and
"Complications between electricity and coal producers and railway companies are growing worse in China," he
said. "The electricity industry in China needs to be reformed, and intensified construction of nuclear power plants
should be the reform's main element."
"The government understands well that nuclear power plants cost more than thermal and hydropower plants, but
they are much more efficient and durable and can solve the problems with the coal deficit, transportation and
environmental pollution," the professor said. Nuclear power plants produce about 1% of the electricity in China,
while the world's average
Shanghai," the professor said.
"Chinese specialists believe Russia should become the main partner in the construction of nuclear power plants
in China, because Russian standards most closely meet the conditions in China. The construction of the first phase of
the Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang is proof of that," he said.
"The Chinese State Council has decided to give the construction of the power plant's second phase to
Russia, and the Chinese State Development and Reform Committee is considering Russia's construction of the third
and fourth phases of the Tianwan plant. Chinese experts think Russia will get the contract. Bearing in mind China's
wish to build more nuclear power plants, the prospects for cooperation are broad," he said.
"The shortage of electricity in China is becoming a serious problem. A document that the Chinese Electricity
Regulatory Committee submitted to the government on June 3 suggests temporary blackouts in a number of areas to deal
with the shortage of electricity. The shortages are resulting form an insufficient supply of coal, on which 90% of
Chinese power plants run, railroad delivery problems and overloads at power plants, which can result in accidents,"
the expert said. [RU ASIA EUROPE EEU EMRG CN ENR ELG] te aw RTS$#&:
[Interfax] |
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