China to build its first third-generation nuclear plant (2)

Since Japan’s Fukushima disaster, preventing cooling system failure has become a key safety priority for the nuclear industry worldwide.

The Sanmen plant uses US AP one thousand technology, otherwise known as third generation nuclear technology. It means the plant’s emergency cooling system can function without electricity for 3 days.

Ting Qian, Sanmen AP1000 Deputy Manager of Westinghouse Industrial Products, said, "The risk is 100 times lower. It can work without power, the gravity and natural circulation will keep the vessel in water condition."

The Sanmen plant will start generating electricity in 2014, and is expected to supply 15 percent of Zhejiang province’s electricity by 2015.