2015-02-09

China Pushes Nuclear Power Exports

China nuclear power firms to merge in bid to boost global clout
China Power Investment Corp is merging with the State Nuclear Power Technology Corp, as Beijing drives consolidation in its rapidly expanding nuclear power sector with the aim of eventually exporting reactors.

The Chinese power producer currently controls about a tenth of China's nuclear power market, while the State Nuclear Power Technology Corp was formed in 2007 to handle nuclear technology transferred from U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Co.

...Beijing said in January that it would aid the overseas expansion of Chinese firms, in particular in the rail and nuclear power sectors, raising hackles with some trading partners who fear it signals another wave of subsidized Chinese exports.

China, which now primarily provides financing and construction services to nuclear power projects overseas, is expected by some experts to start exporting reactors after 2020 and become a major exporter by 2030 when it has fully digested foreign technology and developed its domestic industry.

An editorial in the People's Daily agrees, pointing out that China basically will have 30 years without competition thanks to the long lead times in the nuclear industry. 人民日报:中国核电建设能力全球领先 30年未间断
"Nuclear power 'going out' is inseparable from strong national support." Gu Jun told reporters that China has become the world's second largest economy, foreign exchange reserves sufficient for nuclear power "going out" to provide sufficient financing capacity. "China is now promoting nuclear power 'going out', described as a matter of course, the right time."

Wang Shoujun, CEO of China Nuclear Power Corp. said, "For the past 30 years, we are the only company with an uninterrupted track record of construction."

In addition to a deal with Argentina, China is already exporting nuclear power to Pakistan:
China investing in six nuclear projects in Pakistan

The market will be wide open in the years ahead, unless one or more of the developed nations reverse their attitudes towards nuclear energy.

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