EDF CEO says China not a security threat, Hinkley Point should proceed

China does not pose a security threat and the planned UK nuclear power plant project at Hinkley Point, in which China has a 33 percent stake, should go ahead as soon as possible, Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive officer of EDF said.

State-controlled EDF is the main contractor for the planned reactor in the southwest county of Somerset, with China's CGN providing an estimated 6 billion pounds of the 18 billion pound project. Writing in today's Sunday Telegraph Rivaz said: "We know and trust our Chinese partners. The control systems at Hinkley Point C will be isolated from main systems and the Internet."

British Prime Minister Theresa May announced she was delaying approval of the project shortly after she took office in July, and would announce a decision in September.

May's supporters have said she is merely being cautious, and in any event is sticking to the original timetable agreed with France. Critics have warned that Chinese involvement in the project poses a security risk but experts have dismissed the claims, pointing out that Chinese involvement at this stage is only from an investment point of view.

Under the deal, struck by the then Chancellor George Osborne in David Cameron's administration, Chinese technology would be used to build another plant at Bradwell, in eastern England.

Britain's existing nuclear power stations are in need of replacement, and Hinkley Point will provide power for 7 million households.

China is eager to gain British approval of its reactors, which would give it access to other international markets, given that British safety criteria are amongst the strictest in the world.

Hinkley Point will have a lasting impact on our industrial capacity, and will create thousands of jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships.

"Billions of pounds will be invested in the economy of southwest England. Across Britain, dozens of companies and our own workforce are ready to deliver on this project," de Rivaz wrote.

To contact the reporter : chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com