China to build UK nuclear power plant

UK government gives go-ahead.

United Kingdom Chancellor George Osborne will sign a memorandum of understanding in China this week allowing state-owned China General Nuclear Power Group to build nuclear power stations in the UK.

The British government will give its backing to CGNPG entering EDF Energy’s planned new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset as a co-investor.

Sources said the MOU will also see Britain backing CGNPG’s plans to build a nuclear reactor in the UK and play a supporting role in operating it.

EDF also plans to build a new nuclear power plant at Sizewell in Suffolk. It will be required to release another site it owns, Bradwell in Essex, once it has planning permission to the Sizewell power plant.

Analysts said Chinese involvement is essential if the US$1.9 billion Hinkley Point nuclear plant is to go ahead. The plant is a centerpiece of government ambitions for a low-carbon economy.