TNAG-1658-FCO40-2306-Daya-Bay-nuclear-power-station-project-safety-concerns-in-Ho-1987 — Page 244

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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