UK looking at deal to remove China from nuclear project: Report
The UK is closing in on a deal that would remove China from involvement in building a new nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast, eastern England, alongside France's EDF, according to the Guardian.
The deal would kick China's state-owned nuclear energy company China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) off the project to build a £20bn nuclear power station and pump in tens of millions of pounds of taxpayer cash instead.
CGN currently has a 20% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear power station, the newspaper said, adding the plans to remove the company from the project could be announced as soon as next month.
"Nuclear power has a key role to play as we work to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and exposure to volatile global gas prices," a British government spokesperson said in response to the newspaper report.
"CGN is currently a shareholder in Sizewell C up until the point of the government’s Final Investment Decision. Negotiations are ongoing and no final decision has been taken."
In July, the Financial Times said in a report that Britain was looking at ways to remove CGN from all new future power projects. The company is also bankrolling EDF’s Hinkley Point C power station in Somerset, south west England.
In June, EDF urged the British government to deliver the legislation necessary to underpin the project, arguing it was now essential.
The latest move risks inflaming political tensions, which are already running high after the UK decided to join the Aukus nuclear submarine pact with the US and Australia. That decision designed to counteract China’s military expansion.
Washington has been leaning heavily on Westminster to remove China from the UK’s nuclear power plans, blacklisting CGN, citing fears over national security and accusing it of stealing military technology. The company has, however, denied those claims.
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