10.07.2007 // RIA Novosti

Tianwan NPP should not be the only Russian-Chinese project in nuclear power sector

The construction of Tianwan NPP should not be the only Russian-Chinese project in the sphere of nuclear power engineering, Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko said during a press-conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

“Tianwan NPP is the first Russian-Chinese project in the sphere but I hope it will not be the last,” Khristenko said.

He said that Russia and China have similar plans concerning nuclear energy and the experience of Tianwan is a good basis for further cooperation.

Khristenko explained that, while exchanging views with the chairman of the National Development and Reform Committee of China Ma Kai, he understood that both countries have similar plans concerning the launch of NPPs in their territories by 2020.

However, there is one significant difference: in Russia the share of nuclear energy is much bigger than in China.

Khristenko is in China for participating in the 9th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Energy Sub-Committee.

The contract for the construction of the 1st and 2nd WWER-1000 units of Tianwan NPP was signed in late 1997. The project has been carried out by Russian Atomstoyexport since 1998.

The 1st unit was put into commercial service in June 2007, the 2nd one is being prepared for launch. By the end of July 2007 the sides are planning to draft the schedule of the construction of the 3rd and 4th units.