Chinese firm to the rescue for British power station

A troubled British power station could receive a lifeline from China General Nuclear Power Corporation.

China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) has revealed that it may invest in the proposed Moorside nuclear power station in Cumbria, UK.

[Photo: VCG]

Moorside was originally planned to be a joint venture between Toshiba of Japan and Engie of France, under the NuGen brand.

However, financial troubles at Toshiba have led to concerns about the future of the power plant.

CGN would be a natural partner for Moorside, given that it already has an interest in several nuclear power projects and suppliers in the UK.

In June, we reported that the Corporation had founded three new British companies to help deliver Chinese nuclear power projects in the UK.

Alongside the three new companies, EDF from France and CGN have together formed General Nuclear Services (GNS). GNS will work on a number of new nuclear power projects in the UK, including at Hinkley Point C and Bradwell in Essex.

The technology behind the new power stations is progressing well. The Chinese-designed HPR1000 nuclear reactor, which will power them, is starting the process of gaining UK certification.

That’s referred to as ‘General Design Assessment’ and is expected to take around four years to complete.