China's nuclear power technology goes global

A technician works on a key component of the Hualong One reactor in Qinhuangdao, Hebei province. [File photo/Xinhua]

A recent cooperation deal between China and Kenya has become an important step for China's nuclear power technology to go global.

China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) announced recently that the company had signed a nuclear power training cooperation framework agreement, as well as a confidentiality agreement, with the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board.

Under the deal, China's Hualong One reactor, a Gen-III nuclear power reactor design with self-reliant intellectual property rights, is expected to be applied in Africa, reports People's Daily.

The Hualong One 1000-megawatt class pressurized water reactor, developed by CGN and China National Nuclear Corporation, is reported to have reached the highest international safety standards to prevent leakage of radioactive materials and resist outer impacts and earthquakes with magnitudes comparable to that of the quake in Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011.

CGN has formed a joint venture with Electricite de France SA to develop the Bradwell nuclear power plant in the UK, as well as to fund and design the reactor.

The British government started an assessment of the reactor design in January this year. The process is expected to take about five years.

Observers say there is a high possibility that the reactor design will pass the UK's approval process, China Daily reports.

The Generic Design Assessment is a very strict nuclear power assessment. Passing the assessment will further facilitate the export of Chinese nuclear power technology.

CGN has signed MoUs or letters of intent on nuclear power cooperation with over 20 foreign companies and government departments.

More countries, such as Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey and Kazakhstan, have shown interest in the Hualong One reactor.