China Nuclear Energy Sustainable Development Forum observation

As a safe, economical and efficient clean energy, nuclear energy plays a unique role in implementing the new development concept, building a new development pattern, and promoting the clean and low-carbon transformation of China's energy system. In the context of the "double carbon" goal, China's new energy system is speeding up the construction of nuclear energy in the field of power generation, heating and other fields, will also ensure the security of power supply and promote carbon reduction and emission reduction will make positive contributions.

The number of units under construction remains the first in the world

China's nuclear power industry began in the 1970s, and after more than 40 years of uninterrupted development, a complete nuclear energy industry chain system has been formed, including research and development, equipment manufacturing, engineering construction, operation and maintenance, and fuel cycle support.

According to the blue book "China Nuclear Energy Development Report 2023" released by the China Nuclear Energy Industry Association, up to now, China has 24 nuclear power units under construction, with a total installed capacity of 26.81 million kilowatts, continuing to maintain the world's first; 54 commercial nuclear power units with a total installed capacity of 56.82 million kilowatts, ranking third in the world. In terms of power generation, the total installed capacity of nuclear power in 2022 accounted for 2.2% of the total installed power capacity of the country, generating 417.78 billion KWH, an increase of 2.5% year-on-year, accounting for about 4.7% of the total power generation of the country.

While the nuclear power project is steadily advancing, China's nuclear power units have also maintained safe and stable operation for a long time.

Wang Yiren, chief expert of the annual report on China's nuclear energy development and former deputy director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, pointed out that China's nuclear power safety operation performance continues to maintain the international advanced level. In 2022, 37 units in China reached full marks in the comprehensive index of the World Nuclear Power Operators Association, accounting for 50% of the world's full marks, which reflects the comprehensive level of nuclear power units in power generation capacity, production efficiency and safety performance. The full score ratio and average composite index of China's nuclear power units are higher than the United States, Russia, France, South Korea and other major nuclear power countries, and better than the average level of global units.

Yang Changli, chairman of China General Nuclear Power (3.200, 0.00, 0.00%) Group Co., LTD., also introduced that China attaches great importance to nuclear safety, always adheres to the policy of "safety first, quality first", and has established a strict nuclear safety supervision system to fully build a solid foundation for safety and quality. For a long time, China's nuclear and radiological safety has maintained good safety performance, with no operational incidents of level 2 or above on the International Nuclear and radiological Event Scale, and the quality of its radiation environment is good.

In addition, the blue book also shows that the level of autonomy and localization of key nuclear power equipment in China has steadily improved, and the manufacturing capacity of nuclear power equipment and the ability to guarantee the industrial chain have been comprehensively improved. In 2022, a total of 54 sets of domestic nuclear power main equipment were delivered, and the delivery quantity reached a new high in nearly five years. Through the implementation of localization of core equipment and parts, and the promotion of high-quality development of nuclear power equipment manufacturing industry, China has formed a complete set of supply capacity of million-kilowatt pressurized water reactor nuclear power main equipment.

Contribute more to green and low-carbon development

Nuclear energy is a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient high-quality energy. While generating electricity, it can also provide diversified services for the low-carbon transformation and development of the economy and society. As at this conference, "comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy" has become a high-frequency word in the discussion and exchange.

When it comes to the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy, its application in heating is more well-known.

In this regard, Yang Changli introduced that in recent years, nuclear power enterprises in ensuring safe power generation at the same time, actively explore the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy heating demonstration, in Shandong Haiyang, Zhejiang Qinshan, Liaoning Hongyanhe and other places have achieved a total of 5.6 million square meters of nuclear energy heating, the effect is good, providing a new way for clean heating in the northern region.

In addition, the nuclear power industry is also constantly expanding the extension of comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy, and has made many useful attempts in the fields of nuclear energy steam supply and hydrogen production.