MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) - Chinese nuclear scientists intend to work with Russian colleagues on the development of fast neutron reactors, Yu Zusheng, a spokesman for China’s State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) said Friday.
“We are eagerly awaiting the results from the BN-800 [reactor]. I think we will be able to establish cooperation [with Russia] on fast reactors, based on experience in operating the BN-800,” Yu Zusheng said.
These reactors are a promising direction for the global nuclear industry, he stated.
Power units with fast neutron reactors, or simply fast reactors, can significantly expand the fuel base of nuclear energy and minimize nuclear waste due to a closed nuclear fuel cycle.
Russia is one of only a few countries to possess fast reactor technologies and is the world leader in this field. China intends to make fast neutron reactors one of the main priorities in its national nuclear energy development program.
Russia's Beloyarsk nuclear power station is currently preparing to launch a new power unit with a BN-800 sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor.
In 2008, Russia and China began cooperation on the Sanming nuclear power station in China’s Fujian province. The project includes the construction of two BN-800 reactor power units with 800 MW capacity each.
