ANKARA

Among developing countries, nuclear power is an important option for domestic energy strategy, China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation's chairman said in Ankara on Monday.

During Chairman WANG Binghua's opening speech at the seventh International Energy Congress and Fair, he said nuclear power plays an increasingly important role in the world's energy mix, as more advanced and safer third-generation nuclear power technology is becoming the mainstream choice of global nuclear new-build programs.

"Many developing countries have placed nuclear power as an important option for their domestic energy strategy. They actively promote nuclear energy or are making preparations to develop nuclear energy. It is foreseeable that as a mature, safe, clean, economic and the only large-scale substitutable energy source, nuclear energy will play an important role in future world energy mix," he said.

According to the forecast of the International Energy Agency, world energy demand will increase by 37 percent in 2040.

The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates that by 2030, the lowest growth percentage of nuclear power will be 17 percent and the highest could reach as much as 94 percent. 

Wang said, however, after the Fukushima accident with growing public concern and engineering practices of more advanced and safer power technology, new projects will predominantly be third generation nuclear power plants. 

"Countries that are preparing nuclear power are looking at third generation nuclear power technology with engineering validation, and third generation nuclear power technology is expected to become the mainstream nuclear power technology choice with its unique advantages," he added.

The first third generation advanced reactors have been operating in Japan since 1996, according to the World Nuclear Association.

Third generation reactors have a simpler and more rugged design, higher availability and longer operating life-typically 60 years. They further offer the reduced possibility of core melt accidents, and are resistant to serious damage that would allow radiological release from an aircraft impact, or higher burn-up to use fuel more fully and efficiently and reduce the amount of waste, according to the World Nuclear Association.

"China has pursued an energy policy of developing nuclear power," Wang said. Currently, there are 20 operating units with a total installed capacity of 18 gigawatts and 28 units under construction with a total planned capacity of 30 gigawatts on mainland China.

According to a mid-to-long term development plan for China's nuclear power, the installed capacity of operating units will be 58 gigawatts with the units to generate 30 gigawatts planned to be under construction by 2020. 

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