plants-Dayawan, phase 2 of Qinshan, Ling'ao, phase 3 of Qinshan and Tianwan-with a total of 11 power-generating units have been built.

Yet, nuclear power still accounts for only a small percentage of China's overall power production, out of line with the country's soaring economic development. According to China Youth Daily report, the United States has 103 nuclear power generating units that contribute 19 percent of its total electricity production. France has 59 units that generate 80 percent of its total electricity. In Japan and South Korea, nuclear power accounts for 33 percent and 28 percent of respective electricity supplies. In the entire world, nuclear power contributes 17 percent to total electricity production, while in China, the rate is only 1.2 percent.

"China started to develop nuclear power almost the same time as France and earlier than Japan and South Korea, but we fall far behind the international level in terms of development scope and technologies," said Tang Zide, a nuclear power expert and former senior engineer at the Nuclear Power Office of the State Council, in China Youth Daily article.

Energy production

In 2003, China clarified its strategy for actively developing nuclear power and initiated some nuclear power system reforms. In 2007, the Chinese Government approved the Medium and Long-Term Nuclear Power Development Program (2005-20), which says that by 2020, the installed capacity of nuclear power should reach 40 million kw and that nuclear power capacity under construction must be maintained at 18 million kw. Until then, the installed capacity of nuclear power will contribute 4-5 percent of the country's total electricity production.

The heavy snowstorm that beat down on south China early this year made apparent the problems of coal supply shortages, the risks of long-distance transportation and the country's irrational energy structure. Another ongoing concern is that some large cities continue to lack enough electricity sources of various forms.

Wang Binghua, President of SNPTC, told China Youth Daily that the country's output of coal totaled 2.5 billion tons in 2007, among which thermal power plants consumed 1.4 billion tons, generating 713 million kwh of electricity. He estimated that China would generate 1.3 billion kwh of electricity each year until 2020, just reaching the present per-capita electricity consumption level in the world with the current population.

"Such a big gap cannot be filled up just relying on coal, gas and oil," Wang said, citing the need for nuclear power plants.

According to China Youth Daily report, the government could modify the current Medium and Long-Term Nuclear Power Development Program and change its target of 40 million kw of installed capacity until 2020.

China now has four nuclear power plants under construction-the expansion of Phase 2 of the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang Province, Phase 2 of the Ling'ao Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province, Hongyange Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province and Ningde Nuclear Power Plant in Fujian Province.

There also are seven nuclear power plants under preliminary work, whose construction will be commenced in one or two years, namely, Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant in Fujian Province, Yangjiang Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province, Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang Province, Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province, Fangjiashan Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang Province, Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province and Phase 2 of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Jiangsu Province. The country's inland provinces, including Hubei, Jiangxi, Hunan, Jilin, Anhui and Henan, also are choosing sites for nuclear power plants.

According to Gu, six generating units are planned in the Jiantiao section of Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant. After they are completed, another six AP1000 units will be added in the nearby Kuotangshan section of the plant.