Source close to project says consultants expected to be brought onto EDF’s £16bn nuclear power plant

Hinkley C

Chinese construction consultants are expected to be brought onto EDF’s £16bn Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant project to work alongside UK firms, Building understands.

A source close to the project said Chinese consultants who have built the same type of nuclear reactors in the Chinese city of Taishan are likely to have a role in the UK mega scheme.

There has been concern in the industry the project could be snapped up by Chinese firms after EDF announced China General Nuclear (CGN) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) agreed to take a 40% stake in the scheme last year.

Reports emerged last week that Chinese investors were pushing for chunks of manufacturing contracts to be handed to Chinese firms.

But Building’s source said this is unlikely to happen due to the high level of regulatory checks in the UK required to work in the nuclear sector.

Building also understands, from the same source, that reports that Saudi Arabia’s electricity utility company has been in talks with EDF about a stake in the scheme are unfounded.

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