IAEA: China has the biggest nuclear power program

China has the biggest program on nuclear power development, Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Alexander Bychkov told an online conference hosted by BelTA.

“I will cite just some data: China has launched one reactor this year. By the end of 2014 the Chinese plan to launch four more reactors and start the construction of five new plants. China has not only the biggest nuclear power program but also the strongest needs in new energy generation. Nuclear power plants, however, will not dominate the Chinese energy balance in the future. The country will be building coal and gas electric plants as well,” Alexander Bychkov noted.

The IAEA Deputy Director General stressed that 72 energy generating units are underway worldwide, up 10 from 2013. China is building 28 of them, while Russia is constructing 10.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant will consist of two power-generating units with the total generating capacity of up to 2,400MW (1,200MW each). The Russian design AES-2006 has been chosen to build the power plant. The design is fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian merged company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport (ASE) is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant. The timeline for implementing the project is stipulated by the general contract. The first power-generating unit of the nuclear power plant is scheduled for launch in November 2018.