Putian in Fujian to be site of next nuclear plant

BEIJING - The first China-engineered improved third-generation nuclear power plant will be showcased in Putian county, Fujian province, by as early as 2013, Chen Bingde, chief engineer of Nuclear Power Institute of China and a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, told China Daily on Saturday.

The institute is a division of China National Nuclear Corp, the largest State-owned nuclear enterprise in China. The company built the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, China's first, in 1991.

"The Putian plant will adopt China-developed nuclear technology model ACP100, which is considered much safer and having higher energy efficiency compared to current second- and third-generation plants," said Chen.

He said it will have some improved third-generation nuclear power facility's features, including smaller size, shorter construction time and higher safety level.

The new technology's final aim is to eliminate the emergency evacuation zone of a nuclear plant, he said. The construction time is expected to be shortened from the current 50 months to 30-40 months.

"In the near future, nuclear plants can be built right next to cities," he explained. The concept of the new plant is a 100,000-kilowatt-grade nuclear power facility, with very low cost.

After the Japan radiation leaks about a year ago, the demand for safer nuclear power plants has become stronger worldwide. Fourth-generation nuclear technology is now being studied by many countries, according to Chen.

South Korea leads the trend. Seoul is planning to acquire a construction license by the middle of this year. The United States has stronger theoretical development, while China performs better on the experimental aspects, added Chen.