White paper sets out policies for nuclear accidents
Print Edition
CHINA published its first nuclear white paper yesterday, detailing policies and measures relating to nuclear emergency preparedness and highlighting a “rational, coordinated and balanced” nuclear security approach.
“China has consistently given top priority to nuclear safety in its peaceful use of nuclear energy,” said the white paper — China’s Nuclear Emergency Preparedness.
It said China placed “equal emphasis” on development and safety.
The white paper reviewed China’s “sound safety record” since nuclear activities began in the mid 1950s, stating that nuclear facilities and activities had always been “in a safe and stable state” and that safety at nuclear power stations was in a constant state of improvement.
“None of the nuclear power generating units on the Chinese mainland has suffered events or accidents rated above Level 2 under the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, with the release of gaseous and liquid effluents kept far below the national regulatory limits,” it said.
The white paper attributed the good safety record to improved techniques, rigorous supervision and better emergency management over the past six decades.
China has “the most advanced technology and most stringent standards,” which ensure safe and efficient development of nuclear power, it said.
“Nuclear accidents know no national boundaries, and everything related to nuclear emergency management is too important to be taken lightly,” the white paper said.
After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, the government slowed approval for new nuclear power generators, rolling out measures to ensure nuclear facility safety, Xu Dazhe, head of the China Atomic Energy Authority, told a press conference yesterday.
The measures include inspections on all facilities in operation and under construction and improvements to the nuclear emergency response system, Xu said.
The Chinese mainland currently has 30 operational nuclear power generating units, with a total installed capacity of 28.31 gigawatts. It also has 24 units with a total capacity of 26.72 GW under construction.
The government approved the construction of eight nuclear power generating units last year.
“At this rate, we can reach the goal of raising the installed nuclear power capacity to 58 GW with an additional 30 GW under construction by 2020 as planned,” Xu said.
China is also looking into the feasibility of building power plants offshore and inland, he said.
Drawing on lessons from the Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents, China has developed emergency-related measures, such as laws and standards and international cooperation and exchanges. The emergency rescue network is “of a proper scale, well-coordinated and of a rational layout,” the white paper said.
Eight state-level specialized technical support centers addressing nuclear emergencies and 25 rescue task forces involving 1,300 people have been established. There is also a plan to build a 320-member team to respond to serious accidents and international rescue operations.
China is to speed up the drafting of the nuclear safety and atomic energy laws, the white paper said, adding that China has been dedicated to promoting an international nuclear safety emergency system and sharing achievements in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
China General Nuclear Power Corp and Electricite de France signed an agreement to build a nuclear power plant in England and China’s third-generation nuclear reactor design, Hualong One, is expected to be used.
“China, France and Britain are all leading players in peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Xu said. “We should have confidence in the multilateral cooperation and look forward to a model project.”
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