China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) Chairman He Yu met with a delegation led by British Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark, during the ninth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue in Beijing on Nov 15-16.

        The two sides discussed the UK’s nuclear power projects, the generic design assessment (GDA) process of Hualong One (HPR1000) nuclear technology, China-UK supply chain cooperation and development of renewable energy.

        The UK's GDA, which determines if a new nuclear technology can be used in Britain, is known to be the world's most rigorous.

        He Yu outlined CGN’s nuclear power and renewable energy projects in Britain, the GDA process of Hualong One, and CGN and British supply chain companies’ cooperation on GDA and nuclear power plants’ instrumentation and control.

        He also noted that CGN wishes to bring more valuable nuclear power experience to the UK and will work with French power company Electricité de France (EDF) to help control the timeline and budget of the Hinkley Point project. The Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station in Britain is co-invested by CGN and EDF.

        Meanwhile, CGN values the partnership with British supply chain companies and will further their cooperation in the supply chain industry. The Chinese nuclear power giant also welcomes more enterprises in Britain to join CGN’s nuclear power and renewable energy projects.

        The UK government is satisfied with CGN’s support and cooperation on the Hualong One GDA and values the reinforcing partnership between British companies and CGN, according to Clark. It’s expected the two sides will deepen cooperation on a supply chain, he noted.

        “Britain will increase the proportion of offshore wind power in the energy structure and we encourage more joint efforts of CGN and British companies on renewable energy projects,” Clark added.

        According to Clark’s speech at the ninth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, transition to clean energy is now a common challenge across the world. China and the UK have laid a solid foundation following their collaboration on the HPC project, the largest infrastructure investment project in Europe, seen as a high-profile example of international clean energy cooperation.

        In addition to gaining commercial value, China-UK cooperation is part of the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, according to Clark.

        As the first new nuclear power plant in Britain in more than 20 years, the HPC project marks a new beginning for Britain’s nuclear power industry. Upon completion, it is expected to provide low-carbon electric power for six million British households. 

        China, Britain and France struck a string of agreements in London in September, 2016, which called for three nuclear power plants to be invested by CGN – the Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and Bradwell B projects. The HPC project will use the European pressurized reactors (EPR) technology while the Bradwell B project will be a Hualong One installation, using China's third-generation nuclear reactor design. If completed on time, the proposed Bradwell B project will be the first nuclear project in a developed market to use a Chinese design.

He Yu (Middle), chairman of China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), with British Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark (R) during the ninth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue in Beijing.