The France-based Areva Group, the world's largest nuclear engineering firm, will enhance its research and development in China so as to help solve the serious power shortages and environmental problems in the country, said its President Anne Lauvergeon Tuesday.

Lauvergeon made the remark at an ongoing seminar on China-France economic cooperation. China's power shortage makes it necessary to rapidly develop nuclear power plants, and France, which has the most advanced nuclear power technology and equipment, has had fruitful cooperation with China in this field, she said.

"Over 3,500 Areva employees are now working in China, and the group has worked out special technology-transfer plans for China,” she said.

China's rapid economic development has led to a severe power shortage problem. Power brownouts became frequent in many places last year. The state has already listed the nuclear power industry as a priority in its plans for high technology research and development, and China's nuclear power generation capacity is expected to triple to account for 4 percent of its total power output by 2020, according to sources with the State Development and Reform Commission.

After more than 20 years of efforts, China now has the ability to build 300,000 kilowatt-level and 600,000 kilowatt-level nuclear power stations. It can also manufacture key equipment for one million kilowatt-level nuclear power stations.

Electricity generated by nuclear power, however, still accounts for less than 2 percent of China's total electricity supply, compared to 77 percent in France and 20 percent in the United States. Chinese high-level officials have called for promotion of nuclear power international cooperation, in particular in project-related technology bidding and technical instruction.

China first used nuke power technology from France in its Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant in southern Guangdong Province, and later furthered cooperation with France in Ling'ao Nuclear Power Plant, located in the same province.

Hardly any carbon dioxide will be emitted during the nuclear power generation process, which is both cost-effective and safe, so the nuclear power technology is conducive to China's environmental protection, Lauvergeon said.

The Areva group, with its services mainly focused on power generation and grid construction, will continue to make contributions to China's power industry, she said.

The net profits of Areva reportedly rose 10 percent to 428 million euros (US$570.8 million) in 2004, much of which were contributed by its successful oversea services.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2005)