Britain could pursue Sizewell C nuclear project even without Chinese funding, source says

The proposed £20 billion plant is still viable despite the government exploring ways to remove state-owned China General Nuclear Power from all future projects

Government has hardened its stance toward China after members of Conservative Party expressed concern about China’s involvement in critical UK infrastructure

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Technical personnel from China General Nuclear Power, which has a 20 per cent stake in the development of the Sizewell C power station. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:51pm, 27 Jul 2021Updated: 10:45am, 9 Sep 2021

The British government is planning to press ahead with its flagship Sizewell C nuclear project even without Chinese funding, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The proposed £20 billion (US$27.5 billion) plant in eastern England is still viable, despite the government exploring ways to remove state-owned China General Nuclear Power (CGN) from all future projects in the UK, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The government committed in December to financing at least one large-scale nuclear project by 2025. Sizewell’s majority partner, Electricite de France SA, is in talks with the UK on options that may now exclude CGN’s support. The Chinese company has a 20 per cent stake in the development of the power station.

“Chinese nuclear energy companies have state-of-the-art technology and strong investment capabilities,” China’s UK embassy said in a statement. “If such cooperation is to be suspended under duress, this will be against UK’s interest.”

CGN didn’t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. EDF declined to comment.

The move underlines how Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s administration is hardening its stance toward China due to security issues. Members of his Conservative Party have repeatedly expressed concern about China’s increasing involvement in critical aspects of UK infrastructure.

“The government needs to carry out an integrated strategic review of our dependency on China,” said Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative leader and Tory Member of Parliament. “Nuclear is critical to our electric power and we just can’t trust the Chinese.”