China defers three nuclear plants

Cites massive expense as reason for shutdown.

China’s State Council will halt construction of three new nuclear power plants whose construction was suspended due to safety issues. It said the preparation and maintenance costs at the Taohuajiang plant, the Pengze station and the Dafan plant would run into billions of dollars.

The council said the ban will be effective for three years. It decided, however, to continue building three other inshore nuclear plants in Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shandong.

Analysts said the halt to construction would be expensive. China will pay US$32 million on annual interest for the Taohuajiang nuclear power plant alone. China has so far spent US$641 million on this plant.