French companies are hoping to persuade Chinese authorities to sign a deal for six nuclear power units following the successful completion of two units and Daya Bay and ongoing construction of a further two units at Lingao.
The series of six units is intended for the southern province of Guangdong where demand for electricity has continued to grow rapidly.
A feasibility study was submitted jointly by Electricité de France, GEC Alsthom and Framatome. The companies hope to persuade the Chinese government of the benefits gained from economies of scale with series construction, using the French domestic experience as an example.
China is reviewing the offer. A decision is not expected until later this year.
A new Chinese nuclear programme is scheduled for the period between 2001 and 2010. Current plans envisage the construction of 20 nuclear units by 2010 across the country, adding a further 20 000 MW to the existing 9000 MW of nuclear capacity.
However competition for Chinese nuclear contracts is becoming tougher now that US groups are free to bid following authorization from the US Congress. The French position may also have been weakened by the replacement of the French-trained premier Li Peng by Zhu Rongji.
In addition, China has reorganized its central administration. The national corporation for nuclear energy has disappeared; it is being replaced by a nuclear authority forming part of Costind, the Chinese commission responsible for military policy.
This authority will be divided into three sectors, responsible for design, combustion cycle and operational exploitation. Meanwhile other rapidly growing provinces in China, such as Shandong, are expected to increase pressure on the government for new nuclear plants too.