Energy

Nuke staffing up to scratch

By Wan Zhihong (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-26 09:48

A model of China's self-developed CAP1400 nuclear power unit at the China International Green Industry Expo 2010 in Beijing. [Photo / China Daily]

BEIJING - China, which has the world's greatest number of nuclear power plants under construction at present, will have no problems finding enough staff to operate the facilities, according to industry insiders.

Instead of academic qualifications, on-the-job training is more important in operating nuclear power projects, said John Ritch, director-general of World Nuclear Association (WNA).

Chinese nuclear power companies have gained rich experience in building and constructing nuclear power plants, said Ritch.

He added that they are capable of training people to be skillful nuclear power plants operators.

More international cooperation is also expected in the sector, he said.

Chinese nuclear power companies, which are accelerating their pace in building nuclear power plants, can also benefit from exporting products and technologies some years later, said Steve Kidd, the WNA's director of strategy and research.

Nuclear power currently accounts for around 1 percent of the country's total power capacity.

China has made a target to increase the capacity of nuclear power to 40,000 megawatts by 2020, which would account for 4 percent of the nation's total power capacity.

Given the rapid pace of the industry's growth, the target may be further elevated to around 70,000 megawatts, according to industry insiders and energy officials.

"It is achievable," said Kidd from the WNA.

He added that the development of the nuclear energy industry fits well with the Chinese government's strategy to build a low-carbon economy.

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China has set two major targets in energy use and environmental protection - increase the use of non-fossil energy to 15 percent of the country's primary energy use by 2020, and reduce carbon intensity by 40 to 45 percent by 2020 from the level in 2005.

The development of nuclear power will play an important role in achieving the two targets, said analysts.

China is now using third-generation nuclear power technologies to build six reactors in the country.

The technology is "an evolution but not a revolution" of the previous technology, so safety can be guaranteed, said Ritch of the WNA.

However, more time is needed before an economic return can be seen from these projects as investment in such plants is higher than those using older technology, he said.

China's three major nuclear power companies have all embarked on their listing plans to fuel their expansion, according to industry sources.

The three major companies are China National Nuclear Corp, China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group and State Nuclear Power Technology Corp.