China boosts nuclear energy sector to reduce pollution caused by the coal industry

A newly inaugurated state nuclear company is tasked with developing third generation nuclear power technology for China. In the next fifteen years, the government will give the nuclear sector a major boost to exploit this clean alternative energy source.

Tuesday's inauguration is the first step in the country's adjustment of its energy structure.

Co-funded by the government and four large enterprises, the State Nuclear Power Technology Company is in charge of developing third generation nuclear power.

The company is expected to import four nuclear reactors from American company Westinghouse Electric next month.

By 2020, China aims to have installed reactors capable of generating 40,000 megawatts of nuclear power annually.

To reach this target, two or three 1,000 megawatt reactors will need to come into operation every year for the following decade.

Currently, China has three nuclear power bases, in Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Jiangsu, with a total of ten nuclear reactors. Another 11 new reactors are under construction, mainly located in Zhejiang, Shandong, and Liaoning.

Nuclear fuel is cleaner and much more efficient than coal. The government hopes the nuclear sector will be able to sustain economic development needs, and reduce pollution caused by the coal industry.