The trial launch of the No.1 generator of Tianwan Nuclear Station in
Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, marked the success of
the largest cooperation project between China and Russia.
The generator is expected to go into commercial operation at the end
of this year. The No.2 generator has been completed and is expected to
begin generating power later this year. Both have an installed capacity
of 1.06 million kilowatts.
In this sense, the two generators at Tianwan will raise the installed
capacity by 2.12 million kilowatts in the east China area, which boasts
the fastest economic growth in the country.
When the two generators go into commercial operation, they are
expected to boost China's nuclear power capacity by 30 percent from the
current 7 million kilowatts to more than 9.1 million kilowatts, said a
CNNC statement.
The construction of Tianwan Nuclear Power Station began in 1999,
costing 26.5 billion yuan (3.3 billion U.S. dollars). The two generators
feature Russian pressurized-water technology.
The connection of the No.1 generator to the power grid demonstrated
the strategic partnership between China and Russia, said Sergei Razov,
Russia's ambassador to China.
The advanced technology is said to be more secure than most
pressurized-water facilities.
In additional to traditional energy resources, the Chinese government
is relying more on nuclear power to cope with the rising energy demand
of its booming economy.
In its 11th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development from
2006 to 2010, the Chinese government opted for a "positive" nuclear
power development strategy. In a longer plan, nuclear capacity will
reach 40 million kilowatts by 2020, or four percent of the total
national capacity.
Excluding the two in Tianwan, China has nine nuclear generators in
commercial operation with a total capacity of 7 million kilowatts, but
the potential for growth is attracting international firms such as
U.S.-based Westinghouse, France's Areva and Russia's AtomStroyExport
(ASE).
Razov said that the two new generators are a sound basis for Russia
to participate in more projects in China.
The No.3 and No.4 generators at Tianwan are still out to tender as
part of the second phase of the station.
Safety is the chief principle for Tianwan Nuclear Power Station, said
an official with the CNNC.