(Yicai Global) Sept. 14 -- Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant’s first unit, the first nuclear power plant to start operating in mainland China, has been authorized to continue producing power until 2041. This is the first time that the country’s authorities have extended the life of a nuclear power plant.

The Qinshan plant’s first unit, which began operating in 1991, was originally designed to last 30 years, the China National Nuclear Corp. said yesterday. It has been functioning without incident, has undergone regular maintenance work and testing and has passed its safety review every 10 years, The Paper reported today.

Most nuclear power plants are designed to last 40 years, but it is common practice to extend their lifespan, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The world had 442 nuclear power plants in use as of the end of last year, 104 of which have been operating for over four decades.

The Qinshan plant has nine units in total with an installed capacity of 6.6 million kilowatts. As of last month it had generated 670 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to reducing coal consumption by 213 million tons and decreasing greenhouse emissions by 640 million tons, according to the CNNC.

Editor: Kim Taylor