Asia's Nuclear Energy Growth

(August 2008)

• Asia is the only region in the world where electricity generating capacity and specifically nuclear power is growing significantly.
• In East and South Asia there are over 111 nuclear power reactors in operation, 21 under construction and plans to build about a further 150.
• The greatest growth in nuclear generation is expected in China, Japan, South Korea and India.

In contrast with North America and most of Western Europe where growth in electricity generating capacity and particularly nuclear power levelled out for many years, a number of countries in East and South Asia are planning and building new power reactors to meet their increasing demands for electricity.

Through to 2010 projected new generating capacity in this region involves the addition of some 38 GWe per year, and from 2010 to 2020 it is 56 GWe/yr, up to one third of this replacing retired plant.  This is about 36% of the world's new capacity (current world capacity is about 3700 GWe, of which 370 GWe is nuclear).  Much of this growth will be in China, Japan, India and Korea.  The nuclear share of this to 2020 is expected to be at least 39 GWe and maybe more if environmental constraints limit fossil fuel expansion.

There are currently 111 nuclear power reactors operating in six countries of the region, 21 units under construction (with several more due to start construction in 2008) and firm plans in place to build over one hundred more. 

In addition, there are about 56 research reactors in fourteen countries of the region. The only major Pacific Rim countries without any kind of research reactor are Singapore and New Zealand.

Japan

55 units (48 GWe) in operation, 2 under construction, 11 planned (total 17 GWe), also 17 research reactors.

Japan generates 28% of its electricity from nuclear power. By 2015, nuclear contribution is expected to increase, especially if emission targets under the Kyoto Protocol are met. Longer term plans are to double nuclear capacity (to 90 GWe) and nuclear share by 2050.

The reactors most recently started up include third generation advanced reactors, with improved safety systems. The first of these was connected to the grid in 1996.

Japan is committed to reprocessing its used fuel to recover uranium and plutonium for re-use in electricity production, both as mixed-oxide fuel in conventional reactors, and also in fast neutron reactors.

In 2003 a number of its reactors were shut down over several months for checking, following inspection irregularities. The last of these restarted in 2005.

Japan has a high temperature test reactor which has reached 950°C, high enough to enable thermochemical production of hydrogen. It expects to use some 20 GW of nuclear heat for hydrogen production by 2050, with the first commercial plant coming on line in 2025.

China

11 units in operation (8.6 GWe), 7 under construction, 24 planned, 76 proposed; also 13 research reactors.

China is moving ahead rapidly in building new nuclear power plants, many of them conspicuously on time and on budget.

Chinese electricity demand has been growing at more than 8% per year. The electricity demand is strongest in the Guangdong province adjacent to Hong Kong where demand significantly exceeds supply. National plans call for 50 GWe by 2020, requiring an average of 3500 MWe per year to be added. A longer-term goal is 240 GWe by 2050.

China has built a small advanced high-temperature gas-cooled demonstration reactor (HTR) with pebble bed fuel, which started up in 2000. A commercial prototype HTR based on it is expected to start up in 2013.

In partnership with South Korea, R&D on hydrogen production is proceeding.

Republic of Korea (South Korea)

20 units in operation (17.5 GWe), 3 under construction, 5 planned, also 2 research reactors.

South Korea meets 35% of its electricity needs from nuclear power, and this is increasing.

The national plan is to expand to 28 nuclear power reactors, including advanced reactor designs, and achieve 60% nuclear supply by 2035. Demand for electricity in South Korea has been increasing strongly.

In collaboration with US companies, Korea developed the 1000 MWe OPR-1000 nuclear reactor which is 95% locally-made, and may be exported to Indonesia and Vietnam.  The newer AP1400 model is based on it.

South Korea has a US$ 1 billion R&D and demonstration program aiming to produce commercial hydrogen using nuclear heat about 2020.

North Korea

2 units partially built but subject to political delays, also 1 research reactor.

North Korea was moving towards commissioning one small power reactor, but concern focussed on attempts to develop illicit weapons capability caused this to be halted.

The USA and South Korea offered assistance in substituting two reactors which would not produce weapons-grade plutonium, and agreement for these was signed late in 1995. They are (South) Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant type and construction of the first was about one third complete when construction was abandoned.

India

17 units in operation (3.8 GWe), 6 under construction, 19 planned or proposed also 5 research reactors.

India has achieved independence in its nuclear fuel cycle. Nuclear power currently supplies less than 4% of electricity in India. The units under construction are due for completion by 2010. A further 24 units are planned or proposed, to give 20 GWe by 2020.

India is a pioneer in developing the thorium fuel cycle, and has several advanced facilities related to this.

Pakistan

2 reactors in operation, 1 under construction, 2 planned, also 1 research reactor.

Pakistan generates almost 3% of its electricity by nuclear, its second power reactor started up in 2000, and the third - supplied by China - is under construction.

The government plans 0.9 GWe of new nuclear capacity by 2015, and a further 7.5 GWe by 2030.

Bangladesh

1 research reactor

In 2007 the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission proposed two 500 MWe nuclear reactors by 2015.  In April 2008 the government reiterated its intention to work with China in building the new plant and China offered funding for the project. It has one operating research reactor.

Indonesia

3 research reactors.

Demand for electricity in Indonesia has been growing rapidly, and this promoted development of several independent power projects.

Plans are to call tenders in 2008 for two 1000 MWe units, Muria 1 & 2, leading to a decision in 2010, with construction starting soon after and commercial operation from 2016 and 2017.  Tenders for Muria units 3 & 4 are expected to be called for in 2016, for operation from 2023.  The government has said that it has $8 billion earmarked for four nuclear plants of total 6 GWe to be in operation by 2025.  Under current plans it aims to meet 2% of power demand from nuclear by 2017.

There is also proposed a small power and desalination plant for Madura, using the S. Korean SMART reactor.

Thailand

1 research reactor, + 1 being built.

Interest by Thailand in nuclear power was revived by a forecast growth in electricity demand of 7 per cent per year for the next twenty years. About 70% of electricity is from natural gas. Capacity requirement in 2016 is forecast at 48 GWe.

In June 2007 the Energy Minister announced that it would proceed with plans to build a 4000 MWe nuclear power plant, and has budgeted funds to 2011 for preparatory work.  Construction will commence in 2015, to operate from 2020.

Thailand has had an operating research reactor since 1977 and a larger one is under construction.

Vietnam

1 research reactor.

In February 2006 the government announced that a 2000 MWe nuclear power plant would be on line by 2020.  A feasibility study for this due to be completed in 2008, with a view to construction start in 2011 and commissioning in 2017.  This general target was confirmed in a nuclear power development plan approved by the government in August 2007, with the target being raised to a total of 8000 MWe nuclear by 2025.  In April 2008 it was reported that 4000 MWe was planned for the southern Ninh Thuan province to be constructed from 2015 and come into operation from 2020.

Demand is growing rapidly and is expected to reach about 100 billion kWh/yr in 2010 - from 40 billion kWh in 2003. More than half of its power comes from hydro, a quarter from gas. It has a research reactor at Da Lat, operated with Russian assistance.

Malaysia
1 research reactor. 

A comprehensive energy policy study including consideration of nuclear power will be completed before 2010.  The state-owned utility TNB is tentatively in favour of nuclear power and in August 2006 the Malaysian Nuclear Licensing Board said that plans for nuclear power after 2020 should be brought forward and two reactors built much sooner.

Philippines

1 research reactor.

The Philippines has one power reactor completed but its operation was aborted over litigation concerning bribery and safety deficiencies.  In 2007 the government set up a project to study the development of nuclear energy, in the context of an overall energy plan for the country, to reduce dependence on imported oil and coal.  In 2008 an IAEA mission commissioned by the government advised that the nuclear plant could be refurbished and economically and safely be operated for 30 years.

See also: country papers and Emerging Nuclear Countries paper.

Nuclear Power in Asia, and Involvement with the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

** The total includes 6 reactors in operation, plus two under construction, on Taiwan. It also has four research reactors. Taiwan has no other stages of the fuel cycle.

Key: UM Uranium Mining, C Conversion, E Enrichment, FF Fuel Fabrication, R Reprocessing, WM Waste Management facilities for spent fuel away from reactors.

Sources:
WNA Reactor table, country papers
OECD/IEA World Energy Outlook 2000
Nuclear Engineering International, World Nuclear Industry Handbook 2005.