Expansionary Institute

Forum Admin
futurist3000@aol.com

Ling Ao Unit 2 nuclear power plant has begun supplying its first kilowatt- hours of electricity in Guangdong province in China, two months ahead of schedule. Unit 1 began commercial operation in May 2002.

Nuclear energy provides a partial solution to the problems facing the Chinese market, including an annual increase in industrial output of around 10 percent and a demand for electricity that will greatly exceed supply. Twenty percent of China's electricity requirements are yet to be met.

China has considerable reserves of coal, the major source of greenhouse gas emissions; conventional power plants currently account for 75 percent of China's installed capacity. The Chinese authorities have therefore adopted a policy aimed at diversifying energy resources. Although nuclear energy has a small part to play today, it will inevitably become more important in the future. China's five-year plan (2001-2005) for economic and social development of the country states that "nuclear energy will be developed in an appropriate manner".

Ling Ao is the second high-capacity nuclear plant to be built in the southern province of Guangdong, following Daya Bay whose nuclear island was supplied by Framatome ANP, an AREVA and Siemens company. The plant benefited from the operating experience of more than 95 Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) built around the world by Framatome ANP. The plant includes the latest advances in safety, availability, systems and equipment reliability, radiation protection and operating cost reduction measures.

The success of this ambitious project is the result of close cooperation between Framatome ANP and Ling Ao Nuclear Power Company (LANPC), the project leader and owner of the nuclear power plant, and its Chinese partners.

This cooperation dates back to October 1995 when a contract was signed for the supply of two 1000-MW nuclear islands, the manufacture of the first cores and the carrying out of an extensive technology transfer program. The contract also included a major nuclear equipment manufacturing program to be carried out by Chinese suppliers, and technical assistance with assembly and start-up trials. In 1997, a contract was signed for assembly of the primary system for the 2 nuclear islands. The fuel manufacturing plant located at Yibin in the Sichuan province will supply the future fuel requirements for both units.

Framatome ANP is a major player in the construction of new nuclear power units in China based on the strength of its experience acquired through the Daya Bay and Ling Ao contracts, its involvement in the Qinshan project on behalf of the Nuclear Power Qinshan Joint Venture Company (NPQJVC), and the technology transfer program established with the China Nuclear National Company (CNNC) in 1991.

Planning of Ling Ao units 1 & 2 Construction  

In 1996, the detail designs were completed taking into account the specific characteristics of the site. Construction began in May 1997. The assembly of the nuclear island for units 1 and 2 started in January and September 1999 respectively. By mid-2001, nearly all equipment and supporting documentation had been delivered to the site.

Unit 1 went critical for the first time on February 4, 2002 and unit 2 on August 27, 2002. The two units were connected to the network at 10 percent of their full capacity on February 26, 2002 and September 14, 2002 respectively. LANPC officially declared unit 1 commercially operational on May 28, 2002, and unit 2 on January 8, 2003.

Framatome ANP (Advanced Nuclear Power), an AREVA and Siemens Company, is the world's premier nuclear supplier.  Framatome ANP's focus includes comprehensive engineering, instrumentation and control, nuclear services, heavy component manufacture, modernization, fuel assemblies for many reactor designs, including those supplied by other vendors, and the development and construction of nuclear power plants and research reactors.

Framatome ANP is headquartered in Paris with principal subsidiaries in the U.S. and Germany. In the company, AREVA has a 66 percent share and Siemens 34 percent. Framatome ANP has a total workforce of approximately 14,000 worldwide and posts annual revenues exceeding EUR 2.5 billion in 2001.

For further information, visit: www.framatome-anp.com

AREVA, a world leader in nuclear energy and connectors, unites COGEMA, FRAMATOME ANP and FCI.  The Group has more than 50,000 employees and is present in 30 countries.  Its sales total about EUR 9 billion in 2001.  For further information, visit: www.arevagroup.com

SOURCE  Framatome ANP  

CO:  Framatome ANP; Ling Ao Nuclear Power Company; AREVA; Siemens

ST:  North Carolina, China, France

SU: