CGN launches London companies to support UK nuclear power projects

China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) launched two new companies in London on Wednesday, and moved a third to a new site, to support its nuclear power projects in the UK, reports thepaper.cn.

The model of Hualong One reactor [File photo: CGN]

The first has been set up to handle investment, construction and the operation of a prospective new nuclear power plant at Bradwell in Essex, about 100 km north-east of London.

A second company, General Nuclear Services (GNS), a subsidiary of CGN and its partner the French state-owned power giant Electricité de France (EDF), will deal with the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for the new Bradwell nuclear power plant.

In addition, General Nuclear International (GNI), set up by CGN in 2015 to be in charge of all CGN's nuclear power projects in the UK, started operation at its new site on Wednesday.

He Yu, chairman of CGN, said the three companies would enable the smooth progress of CGN's investment in UK nuclear power projects.

CGN signed an agreement with EDF relating to investment in the construction of nuclear power projects in the UK last September, to build Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power project in Somerset, and promote two follow-up projects Sizewell C (SZC) in Suffolk, and Bradwell B (BRB).

The Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power project in Somerset, UK [File photo: thepaper.cn]

Construction of the HPC began in March this year. The 18 billion British pound project will be the first new nuclear power plant in Britain for more than 20 years.

Upon completion, Hinkley Point C will provide 7 percent of Britain's electricity.

The CGN-led BRB Project will deploy HPR1000 technology, also known as Hualong One, which is China's third-generation nuclear reactor design, if the technology passes the GDA. The project is a breakthrough in the export of China's proprietary nuclear technology to western developed countries.

The British government started the General Design Assessment of the Hualong One reactor in January this year. The process is expected to take about five years. Observers say there is a high possibility that the reactor design will pass the UK's approval process.