UK starts formal nuclear assessment

The British government is starting its formal assessment of China's indigenous third-generation nuclear technology, a crucial milestone that could pave the way for its use at a power plant in the UK.

A technician works on a key component of the Hualong One reactor in Qinhuangdao, Hebei province.  [Photo\Agencies]

If the technology passes the review, China's Hualong One design could be used at the Bradwell power plant, which could become the first nuclear generator in a mature economy to be built with Chinese nuclear technology.

The announcement of the start of the assessment was made on Tuesday, when Britain's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy asked nuclear regulators to begin a Generic Design Assessment of the UK HPR1000 reactor.

HPR1000 is the core technology within the Hualong One design. The version tailored for the UK has been jointly developed by China General Nuclear and France's EDF.

The collaboration is part of a strategic investment agreement signed in October that includes joint investment into three nuclear plants: Hinkley Point in Somerset, Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex.

Bradwell is the only one in which China General Nuclear would have majority ownership and use the Chinese design. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C would use French technology.

"The robust independence of the UK's regulators is seen across the world as a key strength for nuclear power in Britain," said Zhu Minhong, general manager of CGN UK. "This is a quality which we value and respect. CGN and EDF will bring to this enterprise their joint experience in China, Britain and France over many years."

Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, managing director of EDF Energy Nuclear New Build, said EDF will contribute experience gained during the UK approval of its own technology.

"Both EDF and CGN will also be listening carefully to the community around Bradwell before we draw up detailed proposals for the development of the new power station," he said.

The companies submitted their application through joint-venture company General Nuclear Services in October. The reference plant for the design is CGN's Fangchenggang Plant Unit 3 in China, which is under construction and on schedule.

Jesse Norman, junior minister at the UK's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said the companies' interest"underlines the fact that international companies continue to view investment in the UK's low-carbon energy future positively".