China Sector Watch: Energy

Nuclear power
According to the World Nuclear Association, China is currently using eleven nuclear power reactors while seven remain under construction, and another ten about to start construction. This signals a huge change in China’s energy policy as it only developed less than 10 nuclear plants in the last 30 years. The government wants to lessen dependence on coal-powered plants and diversify its energy mix.
Coal processing is the main cause of China’s pollution troubles; costing an estimated 6 percent of its GDP according to the World Bank. Nuclear power in comparison is a more efficient and cleaner way to produce energy.
China is also looking to move towards becoming self-sufficient in reactor design and construction. So far, it has had to mix nuclear technology imported from France, United States, Russia, and Canada. Another motivation for shifting to nuclear power is it will lessen the use of railways. The transport of  coal from China’s north uses almost half the country’s rail capacity.
By 2020, China is looking to build more reactors leading to a sixfold increase in nuclear capacity to at least 50 GWe or possibly to 60 GWe and an eventual increase to 120-160 GWe by 2030.
For its nuclear power program, China relies heavily on imported uranium to fuel its nuclear power program.The State Power Grid Corporation expects to supply 3810 billion kWh in 2010 from 850-900 GWe. Growth is then expected to slow to 2020, when capacity is expected to reach 1500 GWe. At the end of 2007 there was reported to be 145 GWe of hydro capacity, 554 GWe fossil fuel, 9 GWe nuclear and 4 GWe wind, total 713 GWe.
Nuclear power serves those provinces located in the country’s coastal areas to rely on another source of energy besides coal brought in from the north. This is a better option considering how coastal cities are the places that attract the highest amount of foreign investment while also being the places that use the most amount of electricity. In 2007, nuclear power sources provided 2.3 percent of total electricity used in the country or 62.86 billion kWh.
Building more nuclear energy plans also corresponds to the government goals to provide more jobs and improve domestic demand during the economic downturn as they will need purchases from the steel and metal industry. China’s largest nuclear company, the China National Nuclear Corp., has already signed agreements with domestic banks in billions of yuan to finance projects.
According to statistics, investment in nuclear and wind power investments rose by 71.85 percent and 88.10 percent last year. State-owned power companies were stepping up investment to meet growing demand and boost economic growth as part of a government stimulus plan, said Zhang Guobao, director of China’s National Energy Administration. He also called on ministers to ensure there were appropriate measures to raise and save energy as well as using it more efficiently.http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2009/03/02/china-sector-watch-energy.html#more-2578