GOTENDEEL IN CONFIDENCE
Dr Marshall stressed that the nuclear island could be divided into two
Smaller units, one being the nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) and the other
the balance of nuclear plant (BONP) and briefly described to Lu Ying that the
safety features were incorporated in the BONP. He drew a comparison between this
new British/American approach and the existing French approach. Lu Ying did not
wish to discuss the technical aspects of the changes which were being considered
but suggested that it would be necessary for the Authority to explain these to
the Chinese technicians, probably via a meeting of the Equipment Sub-Committee.
It was clearly pointed out to Iu Ying that the safety of the present
French reactors was not in question but that future international standards would
probably require these more advanced safety systems in other countries.
Dr Marshall reminded Lu Ying that, during earlier discussions, Sir Lawrence Kadoorie
had insisted that in order for China Light and Power to participate in a joint
nuclear project with KEC it would be essential for the reactor which was built
to be of such a type that it would meet UK licensing standards. If this remained
Kadoorie's opinion then the French might not want to take a lead position themselves
for the BONP or as architect/engineer although their interest in the NSSS and the
fuel supply would be unaffected.
The significance of this development in safety standards appeared to be
appreciated by Lu Ying and he said that he had some inkling of this because he
referred to previous notes that he had written in his notebook. He asked why it would not be possible for the French to supply such a BONP system and in reply
Dr Marshall suggested that it might be difficult for the French to build a reactor in China which had more advanced safety standards than those currently being constructed in the French nuclear programme.
The conversation turned to possible methods of producing an alternative option to a total French package and Dr Marshall indicated that in his view it
might be possible to utilise NNC linked with Bechtel as architect/engineers, the NSSS to come from the French or from Westinghouse, the BONP to come from the UK, the fuel (after the first charge) to be supplied by BNFL and the turbines
from the UK. However, he went on to indicate that there might be problems
regarding the supply of the NSSS from Westinghouse and this depended on the atti- tude taken by the new Reagan Administration regarding the US Non-Proliferation Act.
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