The Changing Geopolitics of the Nuclear Energy Market – China

[FBaggins]

The Epicenter of Nuclear Growth

No country in the world comes close to matching China’s plans for nuclear power expansion. China’s latest official target of reaching 5% of total electricity from nuclear plants by 2020 means that around 78 gigawatts-electric (GWe) of new nuclear capacity should be built over the coming decade. In fact, given current trends, China is on track to potentially becoming the world’s largest user of nuclear power by the year 2030. China’s tremendous new reactor numbers speak for themselves:

• 11 reactors in operation (8,602 MWe)


• 16 reactors under construction today for a total of 15 GWe in new capacity


• 250+ planned new reactors


• 70+ identified reactor sites


• 5 main owner/operating companies and 32 secondary owners identified

http://www.uxc.com/products/rpt_geo_china.aspx

Can't be right. I have it on good authority that China was moving away from centralized thermal electricity generation... that they weren't going to continue past the current group of reactors already under construction. Heck... and that was prior to Fukushima. We all "know" that they put everything on hold after that. :sarcasm:

[Vincardog]

1. What happens if CHINA has the CHINA syndrome?

[FBaggins]

3. I don't think china cares all that much.

This is, after all, the country that has roughly 100 times the number of coal mine deaths (on a per-ton basis).

[bananas]

2. Our glorious nuclear future hype

[FBaggins]

4. As pointed out on the other thread... this is China we're discussing.

Their plans for nuclear power have only gone in one direction... UP.

And they aren't just "plans"... they're rapidly building reactors.

[txlibdem]

5. China proves that the "invisible hand" is just groping in the dark - never hits the mark

The correct balance is either zero capitalism or tightly controlled and regulated capitalism that takes its direction, goals established by the government.

And in China, when a greedy CEO causes a disaster or a number of deaths... they are executed. Here in the US, we give them larger bonuses the more they screw up. Tell me, which system has a snowball's chance of creating responsible business practices.

[FBaggins]

6. I think the Chinese are making huge strides in the right direction...

...but let us not stretch that too far.

They are, after all, the country that employs millions of their people mining for coal. Killing thousands upon thousands annually (not counting the impact of the coal itself).

No greedy CEO being executed for those deaths. Many times the per-ton death rate of US miners, and here the families get to sue the companies (though the CEOs keep their jobs).

[txlibdem]

7. Death is part and parcel of coal - that is clearly understood the world over

Our media has done such a great job of ferreting out "the truth" that we never hear about the number of coal deaths right here in the USA.

But, as you noted in the OP, China has realized that the lies and unfounded promises of the coal industry have been exposed. Their leaders are moving toward renewable energy and nuclear power with clear purpose and unwavering support. That is what is missing in the USA.

President Carter enacted laws that would have made solar investments, efficiency improvements and other technological advances, which in total would have had us 100% energy independent before the year 2000. The very next year, Ronnie Raygun got elected and dismantled and used his media voodoo skills to cast those ideas as totally crazy. Now, in the year 2011, which of the two presidents look crazy and which had the exactly correct idea.

This is only one example of great ideas born in America that other countries have taken and ran with to dominate in the market.

Say what you will about the leaders of China but at least they seem to be making informed and (mostly) sane plans for the future. America will eventually be a serfdom under the Chinese empire because of our inefficient and psychopathic corporations and industries and "look the other way" government officials.

PS, Remember that Ronnie Raygun consulted his personal psychic about all matters of state and policy.