On The Necessity For Developing Nuclear Power In Guangdong Along With The Associated Strategic Thinking

The continuing economic development, the on-going restructuring of the electric energy mix along with the effective supply of electric power and environmental protection have given rise to the need to accelerate the development of nuclear power in Guangdong such that it may be turned into a stable, reliable and clean energy source. As a new energy source, nuclear power has not only resolved the dire lack of primary resources facing Guangdong, but also contributed greatly to the optimization of the energy mix and environmental protection in the region.This paper firstly takes a look at the development history of nuclear power both at home and abroad, and reviews the problems facing the electric power industry in Guangdong. On this basis, the paper outlines the need for nuclear power development in an accelerated manner. In specific terms, the paper uses the cases of the Guangodng Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (GNPS) and Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station (LNPS) Phase I as references to conduct an overall comparison of the nuclear power versus coal and gas power mainly through the employment of the SWOT tool. On this basis, the paper puts forward the overall strategy intended to support the sustainable development of nuclear power projects in Guangdong and lays down specific recommendations in this respect.During the course of the economic analysis, the paper adopts a three-pronged perspective, viz. project cost, generation cost and environmental impact with a view to evaluating the economics of nuclear power in Guangdong. First and foremost, the paper outlines a general analysis on the cost contributing factors associated with coal power, gas power and nuclear power, and identifies that, when the load factor is above 80%, nuclear power becomes quite competitive. A further analysis is performed on the various generation forms in terms of environmental protection. In closing, the levellized cost calculation formula is adopted to validate the possibility and feasibility for nuclear power development in the Guangdong region.Nuclear power development must be market driven and guided. And, to this end, equipment localization, engineering self-reliance, standardization in terms of nuclear plant construction and operation, serialization of nuclear generating units and expansion of the nuclear generating units capacity, shortening of the construction schedule and enhancement in the mastery of the various techniques associated with the operations of the nuclear generating units are all assessed as important measures to augment the...