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China Plans to Reduce Carbon Emissions

22/09/09September 22, 2009

At a UN climate conference in New York, Chinese President Hu Jintao vowed to reduce the Chinese economy's carbon intensity by a "notable margin" by 2020 on Tuesday. China has become the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide and the country's climate policy is being closely watched in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate summit taking place at the end of the year. Hu Jintao pledged to "vigorously" develop renewable energies, which will account for 15 percent of China's energy mix by 2020, as well as to boost nuclear energy.

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Daya Bay Nuclear Electricity Plant in Shenzhen in China's southern Guangdong province
Daya Bay Nuclear Electricity Plant in Shenzhen in China's southern Guangdong provinceImage: AP

China currently has 11 nuclear reactors, which generate nine gigawatts of energy, enough to provide 1 percent of the country’s energy. 24 are in the making right now and 18 more are planned in the future. By 2020, 70 gigawatts of nuclear energy will be generated -- enough to power 70 cities the size of San Francisco.

Zhou Dadi from the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission in Beijing says: “Nuclear energy can help restrict pollution, protect the environment and optimise our energy supply. Our studies show that China sees nuclear energy as an important means of reducing pollution, acquiring more energy and reducing our dependence on coal. Nuclear energy is going to develop very fast in the future.”

China still gets most of its energy -- over 70 percent -- from coal. But coal-powered stations cannot meet the demand. The electricity grid often collapses. There are power cuts in summer particularly because of the intense use of air conditioning. On top of that, the power stations are old and pollute the atmosphere heavily.

Little public debate about risks

As China is turning to nuclear energy as a long-term alternative, there is more and more talk of the risks involved.

But nuclear expert Zhou Dadi thinks there is no need to worry: “We are learning from the experiences in the United States, Japan and Europe. In Europe, the nuclear power stations are built near the cities. It’s very important to choose the right technology and to ensure conditions are safe. When we make decisions we will choose places which are not heavily populated. I am sure that China will choose the most advanced technology.”

Although Beijing is insistent that high safety standards should be met, this is not always the case in the provinces where corruption is high.

There is also very little public debate about nuclear power -- about its advantages and about the risks involved. Critics of nuclear energy are often faced with reprisals.

Nuclear waste causing concern

Wang, a student of English in Beijing, says she is “very much afraid of living close to a nuclear power plant. There are many natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides. I don’t know how to prevent being exposed to radiation. I don’t think we have enough knowledge about the dangers or bad effects of nuclear power.”

Nuclear waste is also causing concern but Zhou Dadi once again dismisses fears: “We are thinking about how to recycle nuclear liquids. We’re looking at the same methods as the international community -- for example storing the waste deep underground. China will act responsibly."

A plan to store nuclear waste in the Gobi desert has now been rejected. There is still no alternative.

Author: Petra Aldenrath/Anne Thomas
Editor: Thomas Bärthlein