Energy futuresChina's nuclear reactors to use technology rejected by U.S., U.K. as unsafe
Ten of China’s proposed nuclear power reactors will use Westinghouse’s AP1000 advanced technology; the United States rejected the AP100 design, saying key components of the reactormight not withstand events like earthquakes and tornadoes; the United Kingdom indicated it, too, would reject Westinghouse’s new reactor because it could be vulnerable to terrorist attacks
Ten of China’s proposed nuclear power reactors will use Westinghouse’s AP1000 advanced technology considered safer, a Chinese energy official said.
The U.S. company’s technology, described as among the most advanced in the world, operates longer, a Xinhua-China Daily report said, adding that China is currently building the largest number of nuclear power stations worldwide.
UPI reports that The AP1000, a third-generation technology, will be used on six reactors at three inland nuclear plants in Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangxi provinces, and on two pairs of reactors in coastal Zhejiang and Shandong provinces, said the official, who asked not to be identified citing security reasons, the report said.
“The technology will upgrade China’s nuclear power industry, which is seeing its fastest development now,” the official said.
The projects will need final government approval before construction can begin.
China’s proposal is good news for the company, but those worried about nuclear safety would be worried. Last fall, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) rejected the AP100 design, saying that a key component of Westinghouse’s new reactor design might not withstand events like earthquakes and tornadoes (“NRC rejects Westinghouse’s new nuclear reactor design,” 24 October 2009 HSNW). In February, the U.K.’s nuclear safety watchdog said it might decide to reject the same reactor design because it could be vulnerable to terrorist attacks (“U.K.: New nuclear reactors might not stand up to terrorist attacks,” 18 February 2010 HSNW).
