‘The task has been set’
Russia said it would help China surpass the United States in nuclear energy capacity and that this could change the balance in global energy. Accordingly ReutersRosatom chief Alexei Likhachev told Russian state television that Russia already supports China’s nuclear development. China has 53.2 gigawatts of nuclear reactor capacity as of April 2024, while the United States has approximately 97 GW. This is the gap that Russia says China will help close.
What’s going on?
Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom has built four reactors in China and is building four more, according to Likhachev. In his statement to state television, he said that China’s goal is to surpass the USA in nuclear capacity by exceeding 100 GW. He also said China would need closed nuclear fuel cycle reactors using Russian technology to achieve that goal.
Speaking to Russian state television, as quoted by Reuters, Likhachev said, “China has ambitious plans for the development of atomic energy. The task is set to catch up and surpass the United States in terms of installed capacity, which means reaching a capacity of over 100 gigawatts.” he said.
In response to a question about whether Russia would help China achieve this goal, he added: “Of course. We will help. We are already helping.”
Why is nuclear energy important?
Nuclear energy can provide large amounts of electricity without creating carbon pollution.
US Department of Energy says It is one of the country’s largest clean energy sources, accounting for almost 20% of electricity production. He also noted that in 2023, “The International Energy Agency’s analysis shows that nuclear power will more than double from 2020 to 2050 in global net-zero emissions under 2050 scenarios, and that reducing nuclear power will make achieving net zero more difficult and costly.”
At the same time, nuclear energy also has some features. disadvantagesIncluding radioactive waste, thermal pollution, safety concerns, high costs and more, according to nuclear-power.com.
A. review Nuclear energy projects could face higher costs and accident liabilities, he added in Frontiers in Environmental Economics. The authors noted that although nuclear energy is a “non-fossil energy source,” other renewable options such as wind or solar have not been adequately explored.
What is being done about expansion?
Apart from this plan, the International Atomic Energy Agency, standards for reactor safety, inspections and waste management. DOE continues frame While nuclear energy in the United States is seen as an important part of a balanced clean energy strategy, others focused on sustainability are encouraging greater investment in less costly and time-consuming renewable solutions.
Nuclear energy can produce large amounts of electricity without requiring carbon warming the planetbut it also introduces waste, safety and cost issues. As China continues to expand its capacity with Russian assistance, international oversight will be important to ensure that the expansion is managed responsibly.
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