CGN Power says Taishan nuclear reactors pose no safety risks

The controlling shareholder of two nuclear reactors under construction in Taishan, about 130km from Hong Kong, has denied reports of safety risks following the temporary suspension of similar reactors being built in France.

Gao Ligang, chief executive officer at Hong Kong-listed CGN Power, which holds a 51 per cent stake in the project, said the two reactors in Taishan meet all international technology and safety standards.

“The construction progress and commercial operation of the Taishan nuclear units are all on schedule after comprehensive evaluation,” Gao said on Friday.

Speaking in Hong Kong, he said the expected timetable for commercial operation of Taishan Unit 1 and Taishan Unit 2 would be in the first half of 2017 and second half of 2017, respectively.

The Taishan nuclear power plants use third-generation European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology, the most advanced in existence. The systems integration and performance testing of third generation nuclear power generating units have yet to be verified, as no such nuclear power generating unit has been put into commercial operation in the world.

France’s Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) last April discovered excessive carbon in the pressure vessel of an EPR plant in Flamanville, France, indicating that the vessel was too brittle and could potentially cause a radioactive leak.