From the banks of the Seine River, where the nuclear power flower blooms, to the Yangtze River Delta, home to the steel dragon, the power of nuclear energy is no longer just a source of pride for individual countries but a bridge of deep cooperation between nations.
France, once a nuclear energy pioneer, has long occupied a leading position in global nuclear energy due to its profound nuclear industry foundation and mature nuclear technology.
Nuclear power, as a clean and efficient form of energy, has always been closely watched.
Both China and France, as leaders in the nuclear power field, have their own stories of development and achievements.
Today, let's discuss the cooperation between China and France in the field of nuclear power and the journey they have traveled together.
I. Overview of Nuclear Power Construction in France
France, as the largest nuclear power producer in the European Union, started its nuclear power industry early and developed rapidly.
As early as the 1970s, France recognized the importance of energy independence and began large-scale construction of nuclear power plants.
In 1945, with the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission, France embarked on its nuclear era.
After decades of development, France has not only secured a place in nuclear energy development but also played a leading role internationally.
According to the latest data from the International Atomic Energy Agency, France's nuclear power capacity has reached 63.13 gigawatts, accounting for nearly 17.76% of the global nuclear power capacity.
From the commissioning of the first commercial nuclear power plant to the current operation of 58 nuclear power units, France's nuclear power construction has experienced highs and challenges.
Especially considering the global energy demand and carbon emission restrictions, the French government considers nuclear energy as an important means to address energy transition.
While ensuring supply, nuclear safety is also a focus of attention for the French government and people.
Data shows that the average operating life of French nuclear power plants exceeds 30 years, but due to its high standard of safety measures and strict operation management, no serious accidents affecting public health and safety have occurred.
Looking ahead, France plans to build a new generation of European Pressurized Reactors (EPR), with an expected capacity of 1,650 megawatts per unit.
In France's energy policy determined in 2021, it was decided to decommission 12 reactors by 2035, reflecting France's determination to pursue an efficient energy structure.
France's nuclear power construction is not only an optimization of the national energy structure but also a far-reaching layout for the development of clean energy.
It not only reflects the emphasis on energy security but also conveys France's responsible attitude towards climate change.
This series of actions and plans will undoubtedly propel France's energy development towards higher sustainability goals.
II. Development of China's Nuclear Power Industry
China, with a relatively late start in the nuclear power industry, has experienced exceptionally rapid development.
Since the 1980s, China has been introducing foreign nuclear power technology and gradually establishing its own nuclear power industry system through digestion, absorption, and independent research and development.
Today, China has 55 operating nuclear power units with a total installed capacity exceeding 50 million kilowatts.
Nuclear power generation (417.8 billion kWh) ranks second in the world after the United States.
Many of these projects have used French technology for construction and design.
For example, the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong uses France's third-generation nuclear technology, the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR).
At the same time, China is also continuously promoting independent innovation in nuclear power technology.
After decades of efforts, it has successfully developed the third-generation nuclear technology, the Hualong One, with independent intellectual property rights and started construction of the world's first Hualong One project in Zhangzhou, Fujian.
Through cooperation with France, China has not only absorbed and learned from advanced technologies but also achieved leapfrog development based on this foundation, thus accelerating the internationalization of its independent third-generation nuclear power technology.
III. Sino-French Nuclear Power Cooperation and Future Prospects
Both countries have achieved remarkable achievements in nuclear power construction and operation.
France has 58 nuclear reactors and is a leader in the global nuclear power industry, while China is one of the world's largest nuclear power markets, promoting the development of fourth-generation nuclear power technology such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors through introduction, digestion, and innovation.
In 2020, China's nuclear power generation reached 366.8 billion kilowatt-hours, and its proportion of the national power generation continued to increase, highlighting the important role of nuclear power in China's clean energy development.
Through in-depth cooperation and exchanges in the field of Sino-French nuclear power, both countries have not only promoted the progress and development of their respective nuclear power technologies but also made important contributions to global nuclear power safety and sustainable development.
Against the backdrop of global energy structural transformation and climate change response, Sino-French nuclear power cooperation has a broader prospect.
Starting with the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station, China and France have deepened their interaction and cooperation in nuclear power technology, equipment manufacturing, and safety management, jointly creating many benchmark projects.
Today, French technology and equipment are indispensable in the nuclear power units constructed by China.
By the end of 2021, France had participated in the construction of dozens of nuclear reactors in China, successfully promoting China's existing nuclear power installed capacity to exceed 510 million kilowatts, and the proportion of nuclear power generation increased to about 4.2%.
The future cooperation blueprint is even more ambitious.
China and France will work together to develop fourth-generation nuclear reactors, promote the maturity and perfection of nuclear power technology, and strive to achieve commercial operation in the near future.
For example, China is actively promoting the demonstration project of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, which is expected to be put into operation around 2025, marking another important milestone in bilateral cooperation.
By 2030, with the continuous accumulation of technological advantages and management experience in Sino-French nuclear power cooperation, China's nuclear power installed capacity is expected to double to 100 million kilowatts, and France's share in the global nuclear power market will be further consolidated.
Cooperation between the two sides is not limited to their respective countries but is also expected to jointly expand into third-party markets, jointly promote global nuclear power safety, efficiency, and sustainable development, and make new and greater contributions to global energy security and environmental protection.
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