Nuclear

In 2006, China's energy supply and demand both surged ahead at an amazing pace in the shadow of its 10% GDP growth. Total energy consumption increased by 14% while the amount of energy generated grew by 13.5% in 2006, to 283 million kW. To cope with its accelerating energy usage, China is turning to Nuclear power to quench its thirst for power. The country currently operates eleven nuclear power plants, and the $12 billion nuclear deal with Areva is expected to bring thirty new nuclear plants by 2020.

China aims to become self-sufficient in reactor design and construction, as well as other aspects of the fuel cycle. The Areva deal requires the transfer of third generation nuclear technologies to China, which would allow the country to manufacture its own reactors. Currently there are demands in China for 600 MW class nuclear power generating equipment, complete sets of equipment for 1000MW plants, gas centrifugal uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel reprocessing and uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel.