Hainan powers up cleaner energy projects

The Hainan Changjiang nuclear power plant on the tropical island is expected to generate 50 percent of the province's power supply after second-phase construction is completed in about five years, a leading expert involved in the project said.

Pan Fengguo, deputy manager of Hainan Nuclear Power Co Ltd, owner of the Changjiang plant, said on Friday that preparation for second-phase construction has begun.

"When the second-phase project becomes operational by 2022 ,the gross nuclear power installation capacity will reach 3.6 million kilowatts, about 50 percent of the province's total power supply. The plant will generate greater environmental benefits for the island," Pan told reporters visiting the plant on Friday.

Construction of the power plant, located on the west coast of Hainan island, began in 2010. Its first-phase project has two 650,000 kilowatt nuclear power generators and these were built with an investment of 24.9 billion yuan ($3.59 billion).

The first generator started commercial operation late last year and the second was put into operation in August this year.

Hainan island has experienced electrical shortages for years. Insufficient power supply has been a bottleneck that has hindered the social and economic development of the island province, according to media reports.

With two generators in full operation, the plant is now supplying electricity for 30 percent of the island's needs, Pan said.

Officials said the Changjiang project has helped ease the shortage of electricity in Hainan. Furthermore, it has improved Hainan's energy consumption and is turning the province into one of the cleanest energy users in China.

"To protect the environment and safeguard the health of the public, the provincial nuclear emergency authorities have also completed the construction of emergency systems, radiation data monitoring and pollution treatment methods, alongside the building of the Changjiang nuclear power plant,'' said Tang Haiping, an official of the Hainan Provincial Nuclear Emergency Administration.

The emergency systems have won full recognition by the National Nuclear Safety Administration and the National Nuclear Emergency Office, said Tang.

Local governments have also organized lectures, public demonstration days and other forms of exchanges with local residents to ensure they have a clear understanding of nuclear power as a safe, clean, economic and reliable energy source, according to local officials.