China's CGN and Huaneng enhance cooperation

23 April 2019

China General Nuclear and China Huaneng are to cooperate in nuclear power, fuel and technology through a newly signed framework agreement.

The signing of the strategic cooperation framework agreement (Image: CGN)

The agreement was signed in Beijing on 17 April by CGN Deputy General Manager Pang Songtao and China Huaneng Deputy General Manager Wang Wenzong. The signing was witnessed by He Wei, chairman of CGN, and Shu Yinxuan, chairman of China Huaneng.

During talks between the two companies, Shu Yinxuan expressed his gratitude to CGN for its long-term support for the development of Huaneng's nuclear power business, CGN said in a statement. The signing of the strategic cooperation agreement is of great strategic significance, he said.

He Wei also expressed his gratitude to Huaneng for its long-term support, adding both sides should further communicate and learn from each other in terms of technical management and technological innovation. CGN, he said, will give Huaneng full support in nuclear power operation and project management.

CGN has 21 power reactors in operation in China and a further seven under construction. Under a strategic investment agreement signed in October 2016, CGN agreed to take a 33.5% stake in EDF Energy's Hinkley Point C project in Somerset, UK, as well as jointly develop new nuclear power plants at Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex. The Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C plants will be based on France's EPR reactor technology, while the new plant at Bradwell will feature the Hualong One design.

China Huaneng Group was formed from the State Power Corporation in 2002 as one of five major generators, and it has about 138 GWe in operation, none of it nuclear. It has formed links with both CGN and China National Nuclear Corporation. It is an independent state-owned but incorporated business entity focused on power generation.

China Huaneng is the fourth Chinese central enterprise to obtain qualification for nuclear power development. It had a 49% stake in the Changjiang nuclear plant but transferred this to Huaneng Power International in December 2010. It also has a 5% stake in the Haiyang project.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News