China to resume new coastal nuclear plants

• 9 years ago (2014-12-08)
• Junior Isles

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The Chinese government has announced that it is ready to resume approvals for building coastal nuclear power plants, after having suspended progress on all new reactors in 2011.

China halted the licensing and approval processes of new nuclear power stations in the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima accident in March 2011 until assurances could be made about the protection and management of new sites.

In 2012 China said it would resume building new nuclear facilities as part of its 12th Five Year Plan (2011-15). Premier Wen Jiabao's declared that China would "steadily return to normal construction", and called for a "small number" of such plants to be approved each year.

Whilst there are currently 21 Chinese nuclear power plants with a capacity of 19 095 MWe, existing plans would aim to develop more than 27 new power plants with an additional capacity of 30 000 MWe.

According to National Energy Board secretary Liu Baohua, previous development of nuclear power had relied on state capital, whereas now it would be open to private capital.

National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) secretary general, Li Pumin, has said that construction of the plants would be carried out under strict safety protocols.