Chinese plans for Essex nuclear plant move forward

Chinese plans to build a nuclear reactor in Bradwell, Essex have moved a step forward after the government accepted its proposed design to begin safety assessment for use in the UK.China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) and EDF submitted a joint application through their joint venture company General Nuclear System (GNS) to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy in October 2016 to begin the generic design assessment (GDA) process for a UK version of the HPR1000 nuclear technology.The joint venture has been working together for 30 years on nuclear development and construction in China. They have formed an industrial partnership in the UK to build the £18bn Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset and to develop Sizewell C in Suffolk and Bradwell B in Essex.The proposed Bradwell project is in an early pre-planning stage which is expected to undergo years of investigative works and public consultations before detailed proposals are produced allowing a planning application to be made.