Power Hungry China May Restart Nuclear Projects in April22 Feb...

Power Hungry China May Restart Nuclear Projects in April22 Feb 2012

February 22, China, the world’s largest energy consumer by some measures, could restart approving new nuclear projects as early as the end of April if the government approves two industry plans, local news portal sina.com reported, citing unnamed industry sources.

The National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planner, is currently reviewing the Nuclear Power Mid-to Long-Term Plan, while a separate plan regarding nuclear safety has been revised and returned to the State Council, China’s cabinet, for approval, the sources said.

Those plans could be passed as early as April, following which Beijing could resume assessing and approving new nuclear projects. China suspended new projects after last year’s nuclear safety incident in Japan.

In a sign of the determination of the government to ensure safety, officials in an earthquake prone region earlier this month ordered construction on a nuclear power station to be stopped immediately.

China plans to have 80 million kilowatts of installed capacity at its nuclear plants by 2020, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said in a Feb.14 report. That is double the 40 million kilowatts capacity (including 27 plants under construction) the China Nuclear Energy Association says is currently installed.

The NEA report, which surprised analysts who had been expecting a planned total of 60-70 million kilowatts by 2020, underscores the nation’s determination to proceed with nuclear power to fuel its development and economic growth.