Shandong Province will actively develop alternative energy sources

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Shandong, a major coastal province in China, will focus on developing nuclear energy in the future to adjust the province’s energy and economic structure. 　　**Wang Junmin, Secretary of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and vice governor, said at the 2008 annual meeting of **Nuclear Power Technology Company held recently that in recent years Shandong has been working on the development of alternative energy sources, and in the future it will focus on advancing the development of nuclear power. 　　The power industry is an important foundational sector of Shandong’s economy. In 2007, the province’s installed power capacity reached 58 million kilowatts, with electricity generation amounting to 260 billion kilowatt-hours, playing a crucial role in meeting the energy needs of the economy and society. However, since 99% of Shandong’s electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, the constraints imposed by coal on power development are becoming increasingly prominent, putting greater pressure on efforts to reduce emissions and save energy. 　　Shandong has favorable resource conditions and economic advantages for the development of nuclear power, and significant progress has been made in nuclear power construction there in recent years. In particular, the official launch of the Haiyang nuclear power project in Shandong has opened a new chapter in nuclear power development in that region. The Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant is controlled by China Power Investment Corporation and is constructed in three phases, with a total of 6 reactors, giving a total capacity of 7.5 million kilowatts. Phase 1 involves the construction of Reactors 1 and 2, with a total investment of around 40 billion yuan. On December 31, 2007, the order to commence construction of the main project was issued. Unit 1 was scheduled to have its first concrete pour in September 2009, with commercial power generation set to begin in May 2014. 　　Wang Junmin said that the implementation of the Haiyang nuclear power project will play a very important role in adjusting Shandong’s energy structure, optimizing the power supply layout, and promoting the sound and rapid economic and social development of the entire province. 　　He said that Shandong will actively cooperate to accelerate the construction of the Haiyang nuclear power plant, ensuring that the project is completed on schedule and operates safely. At the same time, he hopes to work together with **nuclear power technology companies to turn Shandong into an important nuclear power energy base and nuclear power equipment manufacturing hub in China.