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CFR-600
The CFR-600 (Xiapu fast reactor pilot project) is a sodium-cooled pool-type fast-neutron nuclear reactor under construction in Xiapu County, Fujian province, China, on Changbiao Island.[1][2] It is a generation IV demonstration project by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Construction started in late 2017. These reactors are expected to be connected to the grid in 2023 and 2025.[3] The reactor will have an output of 1500 MW thermal power and 600 MW electric power.[1][2] The fuel will be supplied by TVEL, subsidiary of Rosatom, according to the agreement signed in 2019.[4] The CFR-600 is part of the Chinese plan to reach a closed nuclear fuel cycle. Fast neutron reactors are the main future nuclear power technology in China. A larger commercial-scale reactor, the CFR-1000, is also planned.[2] On the same site, the building of a second 600 MW fast reactor CFR-600 was started in December 2020[5] and four 1000 MW CAP1000 are proposed.[6] Such breeder reactors have the possibility to be used to produce weapons grade plutonium for nuclear weapon manufacturing purposes.[3] Reactors
ControversyAl Jazeera reported in 2021 that the reactors are controversial because they produce weapons-grade plutonium, offering a dual military and civilian use. China has stopped annual voluntary declarations to the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] on its stocks of plutonium.[8] See also
References
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