China further delays three new nuclear power plants

China’s State Council still would not opt to re-activate three new nuclear power plants, whose construction had been suspended due to safety issues, even during the 12th Five-Year Plan period.

The preparation and maintenance costs the Taohuajiang plant, the Pengze station and the Dafan plant would run into billions, reports china.org.cn.

The council determined in its executive meeting that during the 12th Five-Year Plan only the inshore nuclear projects could be arranged.

As the two plans passed, the inshore nuclear power projects in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shandong were re-activated.

However, the three inland nuclear projects including Taohuajiang may not be continued for at least next three years.

An official from the Taohuajiang nuclear power plant construction was quoted by the website as saying that about CNY4bn ($641m) has been invested in the preparations for the plant. “That means 200 million yuan will be spent on interest every year,” the person said.

Nearly CNY3.4bn ($545m) has also been invested in the Dafan nuclear power plant of Hubei.