China Nuclear News Weekly Roundup – 11/19 - 11/23
Chinese Nuclear New Builds Schedule May Not Meet NEA’s 2018 Target
The year of 2018 was set to witness 6-8 FCDs for nuclear new builds, according to the NEA’s 2018 Energy Work Guiding Opinion, which was a comprehensive official directive setting targets of the year for China’s development in the energy sector issued back in March. As it is now already the end of November, the outlook for meeting this original target is bleak. There have been reports about the green light for the CAP1400 demonstration project to begin construction, but a first concrete date has not been formally announced. Various sites for projects in the pipeline like Xudapu, Zhangzhou, and Sanmen Phase II are prepared for civil construction but are also still waiting for official approval to pour concrete. Due to the recent U.S. DOE’s tightening of nuclear technology and equipment export policies to China and the outright ban of most kinds of engagement with CGN, the plan to deploy more AP1000s may be under discussion and subject to revision, which would delay further FCD announcements.
Multiple Media Articles Discuss Nuclear Heating in Northern China
In the past few months, various Chinese media articles have come out discussing the technology and theory of nuclear heating, as well as it history of development, mostly promoting the application of a low-temperature nuclear heating pool-type reactor design currently under development by the CNNC. It is believed to be a signal that Chinese government is strongly considering the deployment of nuclear heating reactors.
Bad haze is afflicting China again this winter as general municipal heating demands ramp up in Northern China. The efforts to substitute coal heating with natural gas heating have not seen strong execution since last winter. Rural residents are facing higher heating fees, delayed installment of gas pipes and supply shortages of natural gas. Nuclear heating may be a way around the unenviable paradox of choosing between affordable heating and clear skies. According to earlier reports, CGN has already obtained a permit to build a demonstration project with Tsinghua University and CNNC has repeatedly voiced its readiness for the deployment of such reactors as well.
CNNC Subsidiary Issues Green Bonds for Development in the Renewable Industry
On the morning of November 19th, Xinhua Hydro Power Co., Ltd., a CNNC subsidiary, issued CNY 1 billion (USD 143 million) worth of green bonds at the Shanghai Stock Exchange. It is the first time that a Chinese energy SOE issues public green bonds, which will finance the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects, i.e., wind, hydro, solar and biomass power plants.
Xinhua Hydro Power Company was created by CNNC through share merger transaction in 2014. It is now CNNC’s spearhead to develop its non-nuclear clean energy business.
Fuqing Unit 6 Begins Equipment Installation
On the evening of November 19th, Fuqing Unit 6, the second unit of CNNC’s HPR1000 demonstration project, finished pouring concrete for its NI dome. With this milestone reached, Unit 6’s civil construction phase has completed and it therefore enters the subsequent step of equipment installation.
CNNC Successfully Manufactures Self-Developed Uranium Enrichment Centrifuge
On November 19th, the first batch of CNNC’s self-developed commercial uranium enrichment centrifuges were successfully manufactured, which concludes its R&D phase for such indigenous products. This milestone also shows that this model can be used for extensive commercial deployment and improve China’s output of enriched uranium.
CGN Mining Company Takes Over China Uranium Development Company
CGN Mining Company Limited released an announcement on November 16th that it had signed an agreement with its sister company China Uranium Development Company (CUDC) on a takeover of the selling party with a price of USD 8.5538 million. The HK-listed CUDC is a subsidiary of CGNPC Uranium Resources Company, a Beijing company. CUDC serves as the parent company’s trade platform for natural uranium resources.