Nuclear-generated Power
2 min readA relatively inexpensive option nuclear power is another area in which China is seeing significant growth.Nuclear-generated power，a source of 23 billion kilowatthours in 2003，is projected to total 66 billion kilowatthours in 2010.
China’s geography includes abundant supplies of uranium and ample and non controversial space for nuclear byproduct disposal.Nuclear plants are currently in operation in Guangdong and Zhejiang，with plant projects under construction or in planning in every coastal province as far north as Shandong.
China is in an unparalleled position to incorporate renewable and earth-friendly energy into its energy supply scheme.The central government has invested funds on the development of wind power，a resource with great potential in Inner Mongolia and the northeast，as well as coastal and even offshore locations.
Solar power is less of an option on a large scale，given the still relatively high cost of production，beyond the widespread use of roof solar panels by farmers to power water heaters.
Until the late 1990s，China’s energy structure was essentially a single centrally controlled monopoly，overseen and nurtured for years by former premier Li Peng，which ironically fostered a regional approach to energy issues.There were deep inefficiencies and shortages in many parts of the country such as Guangdong，with huge energy demands but with few local energy resources.In recent years，in line with national policy of creating more competitive markets，local interests have been overcome with the establishment of a national grid allowing for the transmission of power from remote provinces to the energy-hungry coastal provinces.
The effect on the energy industry of listings and partnerships with foreign investors is an irreversible shift towards transparency and more effective regulation and management.In short，China’s energy sector is both in need of foreign assistance and increasingly accessible to foreign companies.
