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The
to improve nuclear safety is now occurring in the Soviet Union.
RBMK-type of reactor, which was involved in the accident at Chernobyl has
been technically modified in some features, and operation and inspection
practices have been re-organized. In the future the Soviet Union will
switch to its other reactor line, that is, pressurized water reactors
which are similar to those used in other countries. Soviet planning aims
at increasing the present nuclear electricity capacity of 28 000 MW, to
about 55 000 MW by 1990 and 150 000 MW by the year 2000. In other
Eastern European countries the aim is to attain altogether 50 000 MW
around the year 2000. There is no doubt that the Soviet Union wisnes to
draw as much as possible on international experience in order to improve
the operational safety in their nuclear power stations and that it aims
at what Mr. Gorbachov calls an international nuclear safety regime for
all nuclear power in the world. This aim is shared by other countries.
Among other industrial states, France is the biggest nuclear nation
with 49 nuclear power stations, now providing 45 000 MW. France has two
breeder reactors of which one, the 1 200 MW Superphénix, is the largest
in the world. Over 70% of French electricity is now produced by nuclear
power. An additional 10 French nuclear power stations will go into
operation up to 1990. France has now a certain surplus in nuclear
electricity production and in 1986 exported about 25 terawatt hours to a
value of more than five billion francs.
Japan has no oil, coal or gas resources and is relying
substantially on nuclear power. At present, 36 nuclear power stations
are producing 27 000 MW or 24.7% of Japanese electricity. Ten reactors
are under construction and in addition, a 250 MW breeder reactor is being