Rebirth of England

Chapter 991 Nuclear Power Project

"I personally support CGN's participation in the construction of Hinkley Point C, but I hope the government can fully promote this project. If it is still so slow, United Energy Group will not rule out withdrawing from the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project and building a nuclear power plant in Colo instead."

Barron said these words to Cameron because he was speechless about the cumbersome process of building nuclear power plants in the UK.

It can be said that as early as 2008, after United Energy Group acquired a stake in British Energy Group and held 40% of its shares, it had already begun to promote the construction of the new nuclear power plant project in the UK together with Electricité de France.

After all, the situation that Britain was facing at the time was that many of their existing nuclear power plants were close to expiration, but in pursuit of environmental protection, they had to start shutting down thermal power generation on a large scale, which would cause a huge shortage of electricity supply in Britain. New natural gas power plants would definitely not be enough, so new nuclear power plants would need to be built.

After Brown took office as prime minister, the location of the new nuclear power plant was finally determined, which is Hinkley Point in England. There are already two nuclear power plants there, and now a new nuclear power plant, Hinkley Point C, is about to be built.

Then, it comes to the stage where multiple approvals and hearings are required...

Initially, the major shareholder of British Energy Group, Electricité de France, expected the project to be completed in 2017, when the British people will be able to use the electricity generated by the new nuclear power plant...

It’s just that they don’t know anything about British efficiency, but they don’t know enough about it either.

Because just after obtaining partial approval, the Fukushima nuclear power plant leak in Japan occurred, and the world paid more attention to the safety of nuclear power plants. The UK also began to be more cautious in approving the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant.

Environmental protection organizations, which are indispensable in all large-scale construction projects in Britain or Europe, have also become active. A group of environmental protection organization members who "don't have to work and devote all their energy to environmental protection" have begun to station at the construction site of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant and have begun to compete with the project party...

"The cost of Hinkley Point C has risen from £160 billion at the beginning to over £170 billion, and will continue to rise if delays continue..."

Although the investment in Hinkley Point C will be entirely borne by British Energy, that is, by its two shareholders, Electricité de France and UEG, it is impossible for the British government to say that there is no subsidy for this as a supplement to the UK's electricity shortage - according to the agreement reached with the British government, the British government will subsidize the electricity price, that is, allowing British Energy to sell the electricity generated by the new nuclear power plant at a price almost twice the wholesale price after its completion. The part that exceeds the market price will be subsidized by the British government.

Barron's meaning is very clear. If the delay continues, the British government will need to provide higher subsidies. You decide...

Of course, in the original time and space, Cameron no longer needed to worry about the following things, because he stepped down after the Brexit referendum...

But Cameron naturally doesn't know about this now, and Barron also needs him to accelerate the progress of this nuclear power project.

Sometimes Barron can’t help but wonder, is there still hope for Britain?

If you look at the "big projects" in the original England, such as nuclear power plants, high-speed railways, airports, etc., they are a complete negative joke for the global infrastructure.

In addition, since Blair, the British Prime Minister has changed frequently, one after another, and there is no continuity in policy...

There is no way. As a British citizen, Barron has a huge influence in Britain, so he must bear a lot of responsibility for this.

To put it bluntly, no matter whether it is high-speed rail or nuclear power, no matter what interests are involved or what position one takes, everyone understands that these projects are generally beneficial to Britain.

Being able to push forward such a project is itself a reflection of one's own ability - the real influence is not only because of Barron's wealth, but also because many people understand that this person's role in some things is irreplaceable.

"We have discussed cooperation with China on nuclear power plants before, but we also need to see the attitude of Electricité de France..."

Generally speaking, whether it is Brown or Cameron, the relationship between Britain and China during their terms of office can be regarded as a "honeymoon period". Therefore, after China General Nuclear Power Group expressed interest in Britain's nuclear power construction, there were some contacts on these issues.

"I'm afraid that the attitude of EDF has softened significantly now. As long as the project can be pushed forward, they can make certain concessions."

After all, EDF is really scared by the various outrageous operations of the UK. If it continues like this, the cost of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant alone will be higher than the market value of EDF...

Now that China General Nuclear Power Group, a major Eastern country, is able to participate in the investment in Hinkley Point C, Electricité de France is also welcome.

But the two sides are not without differences. For the French Electricity Group, the reason why it actively participates in the construction of nuclear power plants in the UK is mainly to find a market for their nuclear power technology - that is to say, this time Hinkley Point C and subsequent nuclear power plants must use the nuclear power technology owned by the French Electricity Group.

But the reason why CGN Group wants to participate in the nuclear power plant project in the UK... coincidentally, is also to seek opportunities for their technology to go overseas.

Therefore, EDF now hopes that CGN will only be responsible for investment in the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant and then wait for dividends.

But China General Nuclear Power Group hopes that their "Hualong One" nuclear power technology, which has independent intellectual property rights, can be used in nuclear power plants in the UK...

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For Barron, he doesn't care which party's technology is used - after all, no matter whose technology is used, the nuclear power plant's turbine will use Alstom Group's.

The only thing he cares about is to advance this project as quickly as possible.

Therefore, under the coordination of United Energy Group, Electricité de France finally reached an agreement with CGN Group.

For the two nuclear power plants, Hinkley Point C and the upcoming Sizewell C, CGN Group can only participate in the investment, accounting for 33.3% and 20% of the investment shares respectively.

But for the subsequent Bradwell B nuclear power plant, China General Nuclear Power Group's investment will account for 66.5%, and China's "Hualong One" technology will be used.