Pressing the nuclear restart button(3)

The voice of opposition against nuclear power has always existed in China. An organization named Ocean Protection Commune once organized a signature campaign from March 2006 to January 2008 opposing construction of nuclear power plants, and sent the signatures in written and electronic forms to the MEP and the State Oceanic Administration.

According to a media release from the Ocean Protection Commune, labeling nuclear power as "clean energy" is a total lie.

The commune thinks that there are risks of leaks during the transportation of nuclear fuels. It is also hard to ensure safety in disposal of nuclear waste.

If war breaks out, the enemy state will be able to cause serious nuclear radiation by targeting nuclear power plants, said the release.

The organization says these are problems faced by all nuclear power countries and as of now there is no safe solution.

China's nuclear power plants in operation

Ling'ao Plant Phase I

Located in Shenzhen, Guangdong, Ling'ao Nuclear Power Plant Phase I is the second large-scale commercial nuclear power plant built in Guangdong. It has two 990-megawatt PWR generating units, which came into commercial operation in May 2002 and January 2003, respectively.

Ling'ao Plant Phase II

Ling'ao Nuclear Power Plant Phase II is part of China's efforts to propel indigenous innovation as a majority of its technologies were domestically created. It has two 1,080-megawatt PWR generating units. The No.1 unit came into commercial operation in September 2010. The No. 2 unit came into commercial operation in August 2011.

Dayawan Plant

Located in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, Dayawan Nuclear Power Plant is the country's first large-scale commercial nuclear power plant that introduced foreign capital, equipment and technology. Its two 984-megawatt PWR generating units came into commercial operation in February and May 1994, respectively.

Tianwan Plant

Located in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant introduced nuclear power technologies from Russia. Its two 1,060-megawatt pressurized water reactor (PWR) generating units were put into commercial operation in May 2007 and August 2007, respectively.

Qinshan Plant Phase I

Located in Haiyan, Zhejiang Province, Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Phase I is the first 300-megawatt PWR nuclear power plant independently designed, constructed, operated and managed by China. The plant came into commercial operation in April 1994.

Qinshan Plant Phase II

Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Phase II is also a PWR plant. Its first two 650-megawatt generating units came into commercial operation in April 2002 and May 2004, respectively.

Its third generating unit, also with an installed capacity of 650-megawatt, came into commercial operation in October 2010.

Qinshan Plant Phase III

Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Phase III adopts nuclear power technologies from Canada and is the first commercial heavy water nuclear reactor project. Its two 728-megawatt generating units came into commercial operation in December 2002 and July 2003, respectively.