There are 3 nuclear power reactors with a total installed capacity of 2100MW in operation in the mainland of China by the end of 2001. With a volume of radioactive wastes produced and discharged in the past dozen years far lower than the national standard and radiation to the environment at the natural background level, nuclear power plants have caused no adverse effects on the environment, presenting a promising prospect for the development of nuclear power in China.

China's nuclear power construction entered a new stage in the Ninth Five-Year Plan Period during which 4 nuclear power projects of 8 reactor units with an installed capacity of 6600 MW were under construction. Qinshan Phase II, under the guideline of "cooperating with international partners with China playing the major role", has achieved high self-reliance and localization rate, and a much lower specific cost compared with those introduced from abroad at the same period. The construction mode of Qinshan Phase II provides precious experience for the future development of nuclear power in China.

China's nuclear fuel element fabrication went through three stages with three generations of products. The independently developed 300 MW PWR fuel elements loaded in Qinshan NPP have been in operation for 10 years without any damage or distortion. The localized fabrication of AFA 2G 17x17 fuel assembly based on technology introduced from France has come up to international advanced level in terms of quality. Fabrication of high bum-up fuel assembly (AFA 3G) has been localized and loaded.

China's nuclear fuel industry has achieved great technology advancement and upgrading through independent development and international cooperation, laying a solid foundation for the further development of nuclear power.

Nuclear power has large development room in China. It is an important energy option for optimizing energy mix and alleviating environmental pollution in the eastern coastal area. The existing nuclear power sites will be fully utilized and extended by constructing more reactor units. Establishing several new nuclear power sites in places with favorable conditions is under consideration.

China's nuclear power will develop from thermo neutron reactor to fast neutron reactor and then controlled fusion reactor. Mature and reliable nuclear power technology dominates up to 2010 and advanced reactor types with further improved safety and cost-efficiency will be used then after. Under the principle of "cooperating with international partners with China playing the major role, introducing technology and promoting localization", we will benefit from both domestic and international resources to achieve self-reliance of the design, fabrication and construction of large- capacity nuclear power reactors. Greater efforts will be devoted to R&D to achieve advancement and independent innovation of technology, which will lead to improved safety and cost-efficiency of nuclear power reactors and competitiveness of nuclear power.

Under the principle of "Safety First", effective measures have been taken to protect the health of the staff and public and the environment. China's nuclear industry has maintained a good record in terms of safe operation and environmental protection. The nuclear enterprises have spared no effort in achieving high-level management to keep up with advanced nuclear power plants in the world.

The China Atomic Energy Authority takes nuclear safety management, nuclear material control, radioactive wastes management and disposal as the most crucial part in its industry administration.
The National Nuclear Safety Agency independently performs its function of nuclear safety supervision on all civil nuclear facilities including nuclear power plants. The government makes a whole-process supervision and examination on nuclear safety activities through pertinent licensing mechanism. With a continuously improved regulations system, strengthened supervision has promoted the safety level of nuclear power plants for effective safeguard of nuclear power safety.

A national nuclear accident emergency system has been set up. A three-level management system is in place with the central government, the local government and utilities taking their respective responsibilities and making unified coordination. The nuclear emergency readiness and responding capability are constantly promoted by drafting emergency plans at various levels and taking manoeuvres.

China's nuclear power is facing with new opportunities and its development will be new contribution to the development of nuclear power in the whole world.

There are two NPPs currently operating in the mainland of China, the installed capacity totaling 2100 MW. They are self-designed and self-constructed Qinshan NPP, and Daya Bay NPP introduced from France.

There are 4 NPPs (8 units) under construction, the installed capacity totaling 6600 MW. They are self-designed and self-constructed Qinshan NPP Phase II-2 units, which will start commercial operation in June 2002 and April 2003 separately; Qinshan NPP Phase III-2 units introduced from Canada, which will start commercial operation in February 2003 and November 2003 separately; Lingao NPP-2 units introduced from France, which will start commercial operation in July 2002 and March 2003 separately; and Tianwan NPP-2 units from Russia, which will start commercial operation in 2004 and 2005 separately.

In 2004, when all the 11 units operate, nuclear power will account for 3% of the total electricity generation. As compared to the developed countries, this figure shows the existence of fairly large gap.

Qinshan NPP Phase I

Qinshan NPP Phase I, located in Haiyan County, Zhejiang Province, is the first NPP designed and constructed autonomously. The principal part of the project formally commenced in March 1985. The plant was connected to grids for electricity production on December 15, 1991. The completion of the plant marks a new milestone in the history of China nuclear industry, and the end of the history of non-nuclear power plant in the mainland.

Qinshan NPP Phase I is a prototype PWR with the design capacity 300 MWe. The general design of the project, and the design of nuclear island and equipment were undertaken by domestic design institutes; the equipment of the plant were mostly manufactured by domestic suppliers; and civil engineering, installation and construction were all accomplished by domestic engineering companies. Since 1994, when the plant went into commercial operation, the comprehensive performance has been improved year by year, and efforts are being made to approach the goal of world commercial NPPs.

Daya Bay NPP

Daya Bay NPP is a large-size commercial NPP, the first one in China with a complete set of import equipment. It is located at the Dapeng Peninsula to the east of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, about Southwest 50 km to Hong Kong center, about west 45km to Shenzhen center, an ideal position in geography to transmit electricity to the networks both in Guangdog and Hong Kong.

The plant is equipped with 2900 MW three-circuit PWR units, and the French proven M310 reactor of standard series of CPY type adopted. The principal part of the project formally commenced in August 1987; the two units were completed and put into production in 1994.

The annual generation of electricity from the plant is about 13 billion kWh, of which 70% is transmitted to Hong Kong and 30% to Guangdong. Since commercial operation, both social and economic benefits have been obtained.

Qinshan NPP Phase II

Qinshan NPP Phase II, following the Qinshan NPP Phase I, is another NPP as designed and constructed autonomously. The installed capacity of the plant is 2600 MW PWR units. The nuclear island, two circuit units are adopted, each circuit is designed to have 300 MWe.

The first unit of the plant is scheduled to connect to the grid and start to generate electricity in 2002 June, and the second unit in 2003 April. The lifetime of the plant is designed for 40 years.

The construction of Qinshan NPP Phase II formally commenced on June 2, 1996. According to the network schedule of the project, the main work line is now advancing satisfactorily. Now, the main building of reactor No. 1 is under all-round installation; the main building of reactor No. 2 has also entered into the installation period. The commissioning and preparation for production are carried out in an all-round way as scheduled. The completion of the plant will plan an important role in easing the power demand in East China area and optimizing the electric power composition. Meanwhile, foundation can be laid for China to control the design, construction, equipment manufacture, operation and management skills, and finally to realize localization.

Qinshan NPP Phase III

Qinshan NPP Phase III is located in Haiyan County, Zhejiang Province, and close to Qinshan NPP Phase I and II. The plant is a project of co-operation between China and Canada in peaceful uses of atomic energy, and the first heavy water NPP within the territory of China. And it is the largest engineering project of co-operation between the two governments.

The plant adopts the Canadian proven CANDU 6 technology. AECL is the general contractor of the project. The plant has 2700 MW HWR units introduced from Canada. In order to reduce the cost of construction, and make a full use of the resources of the Chinese party, Chinese party undertakes part of the work. According to construction schedule, the first unit will start commercial operation in 2003 February, and the second unit in 2003 November.

The construction of the project formally commenced on June 8, 1998, the engineering is proceeding as scheduled. By the end of 1999, half of the civil works has been fulfilled; among 250 sets of major equipment, 32 sets have reached the work site; and the installation of reactor building No. 1 has begun in good order.

Lingao NPP

Lingao NPP, only 1 km away from Daya Bay NPP, is the second large-size commercial NPP in Guangdong area, following the Daya Bay NPP. The plant has been upgraded based on the Daya Bay NPP, and greater progress has been made in self-reliance and localization.

The construction of the principal part of the project formally commenced on May 15, 1997. Unit 1 is scheduled for commercial operation in 2002 July, and Unit 2 in 2003 March.

Tianwan NPP

Tianwan NPP, located in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, is one of the major projects in the 9th Five-Year Plan, and a large project of nuclear power, which is constructed in joint effort stipulated in an agreement concluded by Chinese and Russian governments.

The installed capacity of the plant totals 21060 MWe, the lifetime is 40 years, the annual averaged load factor not less than 80%, yearly generation of electricity 14 billion kWh. The plant adopts Russian ASE-91 unit, an advanced type, which has been improved based on the experience of design, construction, and operation of WWER-1000/320 series units, and upgraded technology of Western PWRs.

The national competent authorities have reviewed the preliminary design, environmental impact report and nuclear safety report, the construction of the project will commence on October 20, 1999.the two units are scheduled for completion and operation in 2004 and 2005 separately.