Taking the right steps to prepare for nuclear power
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While the world keeps a close eye on Japan's nuclear plants, a new round of debate over the safety of nuclear power has resurfaced.
Tens of thousands protested against nuclear power in Germany on Saturday, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has revisited the country's debate on the future of its nuclear plants.
With fossil fuel reserves to be depleted in the foreseeable future and the climate deteriorating due to ever-growing carbon dioxide, the world is embracing nuclear power. However, it is necessary for nations to listen to the protesters carefully and address their safety concerns sparked by the nuclear leakage.
So far, there are about 500 nuclear plants in more than 30 countries.
China is one of the fastest-growing markets for nuclear power. With 25 reactors under construction, the country plans to build 86 gigawatts of capacity by 2020, at an average of eight reactors being built annually in the next 10 years.
The government has made it clear that the country will not change its nuclear power plan despite the accidents in Japan.
However, this nuclear crisis should serve as a warning to decision-makers as to the safety measures to be taken in harnessing this promising but potentially lethal power.
Chinese nuclear experts have pointed out that the country's nuclear reactors are not likely to break down as Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex did, since the third-generation reactors China is using have safer mechanisms to keep the reactors cool without a separate power source.
