China's Nuclear Power

China's staggering economic growth over the past few decades has required a continuous and expanding consumption of energy resources. While energy trade with foreign nations has escalated, notably in developing areas like Africa and Latin America, the country recognizes the need to expand its domestic power generation.

While most of China's energy comes from fossil fuels (80% from coal, 2% from oil, 1% from gas in 2006) and hydropower (15%), the country is aiming to drastically increase its nuclear power output sixfold by 2020 (60 GWe or more), doubling again (120-160 GWe) by 2030. With pollution an ever-present problem in China, a turn towards nuclear power offers some solutions for policymakers looking to go green.

Pressurized water reactors (PWRs) power the majority of current plants in China and will remain the standard for future projects. In 2006, the State Council announced that it will depend on foreign cooperation to develop and master advanced technologies – the American company Westinghouse has been one of the primary players in China's current plans. Other designs, including next generation PWRs, have been developed with Russian, French, and Canadian support.

1 MWe (megawatt of electrical energy) is equal to one million watts.
1 megawatt of energy can sustain 1000 homes for one hour.

CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor built by the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company. It has a net power output of 1,000 MWe (1080 MWe gross) and a 60 year design life.
AP1000 is the first Generation III+ reactor to receive final design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It is built by the Westinghouse Electric Company.
CNP-600 is a pressurized water reactor with a 650 megawatts capacity.