Developing nuclear power is an inevitable choice for China's development

On the afternoon of November 17, the 15th China Hi-tech Fair High-tech Forum - China New Energy Development Summit was held in the Le Dufu Hall on the fifth floor of the Convention and Exhibition Center. Dr. Yang Qi, Vice Chairman of China Nuclear Energy Industry Association and Honorary President of China Nuclear Power Institute (Caiyuan) delivered a speech titled "Hope for Nuclear Energy", proposing to ensure energy security, improve energy structure, reduce pressure on resources and environment, etc. Multiple factors have determined that nuclear power is an inevitable choice for China's future development.

Yang Qi stated that China's development of nuclear power is an inevitable choice at present, and our energy situation is that consumption will continue to grow. In 2010, China became the world’s largest energy consumer. Compared with other energy sources, nuclear power has its unique advantages. One is the high energy density of nuclear fuel. The nuclear fuel required for a 1 million-kilowatt nuclear power unit is only 25? One year. The second is that the environmental benefits are good. The nuclear power plant will not emit sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, and the solid waste generated will be completely sealed in containers for storage. Million kilowatts of coal-fired power plants emit 75,000 tons of sulfur dioxide and 8 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. Nuclear power, as an industrial energy source, has the same risks as other energy projects, but due to the special nature of nuclear power, its risks are much lower. After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the state organized experts in the field of nuclear safety, earthquakes, and oceans for nine months. The nuclear power plants in operation and under construction in China basically meet the requirements of nuclear safety regulations and the latest standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and have certain capabilities for the prevention and mitigation of serious accidents. The risks are controlled and the safety is guaranteed.

Regarding the economics of nuclear power, there are statistics showing that if nuclear power is calculated on the basis of a 30-year economic life cycle, the total investment yield, capital profit rate, and internal rate of return on capital are used to measure the economic benefits of nuclear power unit projects. The industry is a medium level. The development of nuclear power is an inevitable choice for our country to ensure energy supply and economic development, adjust the energy structure, cope with climate change, and reduce environmental pollution. It is an unswerving strategic policy for China's current energy development. To fulfill the commitment of 2020, China's non-fossil energy accounted for 15% of primary energy and 20% of carbon dioxide emissions cannot be separated from nuclear power.

By 2020, China's hydropower, wind, and solar energy will add up to 11% of the total primary energy. If nuclear power provides the remaining 15%, the capacity of the nuclear power plant built in 2020 should reach 80 million kilowatts. To realize the safe and efficient development of nuclear power, it is inseparable from policy support, public support, resources support and technological innovation capabilities. The Standing Conference of the State Council on October 24, 2012 in principle passed the “Nuclear Power Safety Plan” and “Nuclear Power Mid-Long Term Development Plan” and made arrangements for the current and future nuclear power construction. Safely resume normal construction, scientifically grasp construction projects, and improve access thresholds.

Yang Qi believes that public support means that public acceptance must be highly regarded at present. The physicist Fermi first proposed that the public’s understanding and acceptance of nuclear energy will become the most serious problem in the future development of nuclear energy. In today's world, the biggest challenge in the development of nuclear energy comes from social and political resistance, which is the issue of public acceptance. After the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, ordinary people paid more attention to the development of nuclear power. Some recent reports from the mainstream media have caused great impact on the public. Therefore, it is very important to work hard for the public acceptance of nuclear power.