China eyes more 3rd-generation nuclear technology

BEIJING, Oct 29 (Reuters) China remains open to the third-generation nuclear power technologies of France and Russia despite having adopted a U.S. standard on initial projects, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing an executive from a state-owned technology firm.

China, the world's second largest energy user, plans to spend some 50 billion dollar adding about 30 reactors by 2020, raising its installed nuclear capacity to 40 gigawatts, nearly enough to power Spain.

As a result, nuclear plant developers from around the world have scrambled to win contracts. China in July finalised a multi-billion-dollar deal with U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric to use the latter's AP1000 technology to build four nuclear reactors in eastern China.

But Ma Lu, vice president of the State Nuclear Power Technology Corp (SNPTC), was quoted on Sunday as saying that since China still has room to develop its nuclear power capacity, Beijing remains open to nuclear power generation technologies from other countries, including France and Russia, SNPTC is the state-authorised third generation nuclear power technology developer.

The report did not provide more details on potential deals with France or Russia.

But France's Areva had said it expects to sign deals with China for nuclear reactors during the state visit of French President at the end of next month, following a draft agreement in February this year.

Russia was also reported to be in talks to build two more nuclear reactors at Tianwan power station in east China's Jiangsu province, where two Russian reactors started commercial operation this year.

REUTERS SZ PM0800