CNNC Receives Approval For Third Phase Of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has received preliminary approval from National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) for the construction of two reactors at Tianwan nuclear power plant in Jiangsu province, China Daily reported. The company intends to begin the construction of two reactors (number 5 and 6), of 1,000 MW capacity each at Tianwan nuclear plant from October 2010.The nuclear plant has a total investment of nearly CNY30 billion.

CNNC said that the construction of the number 5 reactor is scheduled to begin in October 2010.

Eight reactors have been designed at the Tianwan power plant, and the plant already operates two 1,060 MW reactors.

According to CNNC sources, as all eight reactors come into commercial use, the plant will have a total capacity of over 8,000 MW.

In 2008, China and Russia have signed an agreement for the second phase of the Tianwan project, under which Russia will provide two 1,060 MW reactors using Russian technology.

Presently, China and Russia are negotiating to finalize the agreement.

As per analysts, the expansion of the Tianwan plant would assist to meet Jiangsu's voracious appetite for power.

"The project has also changed the overall energy structure in Jiangsu. Before Tianwan, the province had no nuclear power, which is a clean source of power," Jiang Guoyuan, an executive with CNNCsaid.

Guoyuan said that Jiangsu is presently shuttering many small highly-polluting coal-fired power plants and has plans to further develop clean energy sources, including nuclear power.

The first phase of the project includes two 1,060 MW reactors using technology from Russia.

Tianwan nuclear power plant still uses second-generation nuclear power technology. China is now focusing on developing the third generation technology.

Compared with reactors using first or second generation technology, reactors with third generation technology are simpler in design, thus reducing capital costs. They are also more fuel-efficient and safer.

China has established a State Nuclear Power Technology Corp Ltd, which is mainly responsible for domestic development of nuclear power using advanced third generation technology from overseas.

China has signed an agreement with a consortium led by based Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC (Westinghouse) to build four third-generation nuclear power reactors. China will utilize Westinghouse's AP1000 technology to construct two reactors in Sanmen, Zhejiang province, and in Haiyang, Shandong province.

As per NDRC, China's nuclear power industry has accelerated development in recent years. In 2005, China had planned to increase its nuclear power capacity to 40 gW by 2020, when it would account for 4% of the nation's total power capacity.

NDRC has readjusted its earlier goal in order to coordinate with the boom in industrial development, by increasing it to some 5% of the total power capacity in 2020.