China currently has 6 nuclear power plants with 11 reactor units in commercial operation having a total capacity of 9068 MW, 600MW of which come from pressurized water reactors. Eight more reactor units having a total capacity of 7900MW are under construction. According to the government’s nuclear power development plan, this capacity will expand to 24,968MW by 2015, and 44,968MW by 2020. To meet these goals, China has already explored 13 locations for new nuclear stations. (see attached table)

Much of the technology will come from Russia, the US, and France. In 2007, Russia’s Atomstroyexport agreed to build two AES-91 reactor units at the Tianwan plant. Westinghouse will build four AP100 third-generation reactors. France’s Areva will build two pressurized-water reactors in Taishan.

In addition, on November 21st, 2006 China joined the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor Program (ITER) to pursue fusion technology. China will invest approximately 10 billion euros in the project, which involves the EU, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US. The China National Nuclear Corporation Southwest Institute for Physics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Plasma Physics will be the two main institutes participating.

As much of the world increasingly turns to nuclear power, one can expect the same geopolitical and economic pressures driving oil over 100 USD a barrel to bear on uranium. This will shift the calculus of energy relations to involve both familiar suppliers such as Niger and Algeria but also possible new ones such as Mongolia, Australia, and even China itself. The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has set up the China Nuclear International Uranium Corporation to acquire uranium resources around the world. The concentration of nuclear facilities in China’s coastal provinces will also compel a re-evaluation of strategies for domestic energy development and consumption.

China National Nuclear Corporation:
http://www.cnnc.com.cn/

ITER China:
http://www.iter.org.cn/
http://www.iterchina.org.cn/

China’s “National Plan for Medium and Long-term Nuclear Power Development (2005~2020)”
http://www.gov.cn/gzdt/2007-11/02/content_793797.htm
http://www.ccchina.gov.cn/WebSite/CCChina/UpFile/2007/2007112145723883.pdf