China begins construction of the first mini-nuclear power plant of its own design, according to the Chinese radio international (CRI). The first reactor ASR-100 will build on the Hainan Island.
Little is known about technical characteristics of the future power plant, the available information reveals that its power can reach 100 mW, what is 10 times less than that of a standard reactor.
Such plants are planned to be exploited for power and heating of residential areas. Thus, a mini NPP comes to replace coal-fired power plants and heating water converter plants.
It is noted that ASR-100 is the world's first reactor, which received all the permits from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Potential partners from such countries as the UK, Canada, Mongolia, Iran, Egypt, Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have already expressed their interest in the purchase of this mini NPP.
