Fast reactor stations for 2020
24/1/2005 8:17
The construction of prototype fast reactor nuclear stations will be
complete by about 2020, said Kang Rixin, director of the China National Nuclear
Corporation.
The reactor can lift the utility rate of natural uranium from 1
percent to 60 to 70 percent with a pressurized water reactor.
Most of the
country's nuclear stations, both in operation or under construction, use a
pressurized water reactor and a heavy water reactor.
The development of the
new reactor is expected to be finished and in operation at the beginning of the
next "five-year plan" period (2006-2010), CNNC sources said.
Cnnc is speeding
up the prototype fast reactor experiment, which is supported by the 863 Plan,
the nation's high-tech research and development program. The reactor research,
with a total investment of 1.38 billion yuan (US$167 million), is the largest
project in the 863 Plan.
According to National Development and Reform
Commission plans, nuclear power should make up 4 percent of the nation's total
generating capacity by 2020.
"This requires CNNC, in collaboration with other
corporations, to make pragmatic plans and schedules to address bottle-neck
problems the nuclear industry faces," CNNC sources said.
Xinhua
|
