Improved nuclear links with China
International cooperation on nuclear energy has grown through a declaration by China and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency that foresees a range of areas for joint work.
An agreement signed last week by the China Atomic Energy Agency and the OECD NEA makes way for the emerging nuclear giant to cooperate with the 31 leading countries that are members. The topics for cooperation include nuclear science and new reactor designs as well as safety, radiological protection and waste management. The agreement provides for collaboration on technology development, the fuel cycle and economic analyses.
Head of the NEA Luis Echávarri said both organisations "share the objective of the safe, environmentally friendly and economical use of nuclear energy, and our collaboration will bring mutual benefit."
Some cooperation has already been under way between the two under China's status as a 'key partner' for OECD organisations (along with Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa).
Global nuclear generating capacity is 371,900 MWe and the NEA counts about 90% of this among its members. Currently China makes up about one third of the remainder, but its rate of construction will position it as the country consuming the most nuclear power during the 2020s. As well as mass deployment of today's designs, China is demonstrating several advanced reactor concepts at the prototype stage.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
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