China’s staggering economic growth over the past few decades has required a continuous and expanding consumption of energy resources. While energy trade with foreign nations has escalated, notably in developing areas like Africa and Latin America, the country recognizes the need to expand its domestic power generation.
While most of China's energy comes from fossil fuels (80% from coal, 2% from oil, 1% from gas in 2006) and hydropower (15%), the country is aiming to drastically increase its nuclear power output sixfold by 2020 (60 GWe or more), doubling again (120-160 GWe) by 2030. With pollution an ever-present problem in China, a turn towards nuclear power offers some solutions for policymakers looking to go green.
Pressurized water reactors (PWRs) power the majority of current plants in China and will remain the standard for future projects. In 2006, the State Council announced that it will depend on foreign cooperation to develop and master advanced technologies – the American company Westinghouse has been one of the primary players in China’s current plans. Other designs, including next generation PWRs, have been developed with Russian, French, and Canadian support.
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For more information about China's nuclear power plans, visit the World Nuclear Association.