Nuclear Power in Emerging Markets

Nuclear power involves the controlled use of nuclear fission to release energy for work such as propulsion, heat, and the generation of electricity. Nuclear energy is produced by a controlled nuclear chain reaction and creates heat which can be used to boil water, produce steam, or drive a steam turbine. The turbine can be used for mechanical work or to generate electricity.

In 2005, nuclear power provided 6.5% of the world's energy and 15.7% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan accounting for 57% of all nuclear generated electricity. In 2007, the IAEA reported there were 435 nuclear power reactors in operation in 31 countries throughout the world.

The United States produces the most nuclear energy, with nuclear power providing 20% of the electricity it consumes. France produces the highest percentage of electrical energy from nuclear reactors - 80% as of 2006. In the European Union as a whole, nuclear energy generates 30% of all electricity. Nuclear energy policy differs among European Union countries, and some, such as Austria and Ireland, have no active nuclear power stations. By contrast, France has a large number of plants, with 16 currently in use throughout the country.

Many military and some civilian (e.g., icebreaker) ships use nuclear marine propulsion, a form of nuclear propulsion.

Research is ongoing into safety improvements such as passively safe plants, the use of nuclear fusion, and additional uses of produced heat such as hydrogen production in support of a hydrogen economy, for desalinating seawater, and for use in district heating systems.

Nuclear energy will continue to have an important role in the production of electricity worldwide. This report focuses on the nuclear power industry in emerging economies – specifically China, India, and Russia. The report also explores the importance of nuclear power and looks at the basics of the nuclear industry such as the workings of nuclear plants, the uranium fuel cycle, and the economics of nuclear power. The country analyses presented here include information on each country’s nuclear power industry, regulatory and industry developments, reactor technology, non-proliferation issues, and more. This report also examines the leading companies in the nuclear power industry today.

Table of Contents :
Executive Summary 6
Basics of Nuclear Power 7
History of Nuclear Power 7
Origins of Nuclear Power 7
Early Years of Nuclear Power Development 7
Development Over the Years 8
Nuclear Reactor Technology 9
Types of Reactors 11
Nuclear Safety 16
Agencies 16
Economics of Nuclear Power 16
Capital Costs 17
Fuel Costs 18
Plant Operating Costs 20
Nuclear Fuel Cycle 20
Once-Through Fuel Cycle 20
Plutonium Cycle 21
Minor Actinides Recycling 21
Thorium Cycle 24
Nuclear Fuel Resources 25
Managing Nuclear Waste 27
Managing Depleted Uranium 27
Solid Waste 27
Nuclear Reprocessing 28
Issues with Nuclear Power 30
Air Pollution 30
Health Effects 31
Financial Challenges 31
Nuclear Safety 32
Nuclear Proliferation 34
Leadership Challenges 36
Regulatory Barriers 37
Water Pollution 38
World Energy Needs and Nuclear Power 38
Generation Options 39
Greenhouse Gases 40
Use of Natural Resources 40
Future of Nuclear Power 40
Nuclear Power in India 42
Industry Overview 42
Industry Developments 42
Reactor Developments 48
Uranium Resources 53
Uranium Fuel Cycle 57
Thorium Cycle Development 57
Managing Radioactive Waste 58
Non-Proliferation of the Indian Nuclear Power Industry 58
Background to India’s Nuclear Proliferation Issues 59
Regulatory Framework 62
Nuclear Technology in India 63
The U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement - Pros and Cons 65
Overview 65
Benefits for India 65
A Bad Deal? 67
Nuclear Power in China 69
Industry Overview 69
China's Economic Plans and Nuclear Power 73
Tenth Economic Plan (2001-2005) 73
Eleventh Economic Plan 2006-2010 79
Reactor Developments 90
Uranium Resources 92
Uranium Fuel Cycle 95
Reprocessing of Used Fuel 95
Industry Structure and The China Atomic Energy Agency 97
Safety Issues 100
Regulatory Framework 102
Non-Proliferation of the Chinese Nuclear Power Industry 103
China's Plan for New Reactors 103
U.S.-China Nuclear Cooperation Agreement 104
China Facing Nuclear Challenges 106
Becoming a Responsible Nuclear State 106
Response to Nuclear Armament Advancements 106
Being Part of Nuclear Proliferation and Disarmament 107
Nuclear Power in Russia 109
Industry Overview 109
Current Nuclear Capacity 109
Requirement for Nuclear Electricity 117
Plans for Expansion 118
Reactor Developments 129
Uranium Resources 131
Uranium Fuel Cycle 132
Spent Fuel and Reprocessing 133
Decommissioning 135
Industry Structure 135
Export of Enrichment Services 136
Global Role for Russian Nuclear Power 137
Ongoing Research 139
Non-Proliferation of the Russian Nuclear Power Industry 140
Russia and the Idea of Floating Nuclear Power Plants 140
Fueling 140
Safety 140
The Lomonosov 141
Major Players in the Nuclear Power Industry 142
Areva 142
Atomenergoprom 143
GE Infrastructure 143
Rosenergoatom 145
Siemens AG 145
Toshiba 146
Westinghouse Electric Company 146
Appendix 148
Nuclear Industry Organizations 148
Regulators of the Nuclear Industry 151
Figures and Tables 153
Glossary 155

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