Nuclear
In 2006, Westinghouse, an US subsidiary of TOSHIBA, won a US$4 billion contract to build four nuclear reactors of the AP 1000 third generation. A year later, French firm Areva-the world’s largest nuclear equipment firm-secured a supply order worth around US$12 billion and will export its 3rd reactor generation of the EPR type.
EDF, Areva and Alstom were behind China’s first nuclear power plant, Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station in Shenzhen, which came online in 1993. Around 30% of the plant energy generation capacity is channeled into Guangdong. It is said to have replaced the need for 3 million tons per year of coal, which means 7.5 tons less of carbon dioxide have been pumped in the air.
With a program of more than 25 new reactors in operation by 2020, unsurprisingly, the state energy conglomerates are eager to reduce the country’s dependency on foreign assistance and develop homegrown nuclear technology. The CPR 1000, with an excellent return on experience on the DAYA Bay and LINGAO power plants will be one of the most popular reactor used in China.
