Thursday 4 August 2011

Hong Kong power firm has nuclear plant stake

Adelaide Advertiser
27 July 2011, Page: 57

HONG Kong utility CLP Group says it has bought a 17% stake in a nuclear power plant in southern China for $681 million. CLP Group said its nuclear investment unit signed a deal with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company to buy the stake in the Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station. A total of $8.9 billion is being invested in the plant.

Construction started in 2008 on the 6000 MW plant in western Guangdong province, which consists of six 1000 MW pressurised water reactors. The plant, which is 220km west of Hong Kong, is expected to be completed in phases from 2013 to 2017. The electricity produced will be sold locally.

The two companies already operate the coastal Daya Bay nuclear plant, which is also in Guangdong and sends most of its power to Hong Kong. Beijing is promoting alternative energy sources such as nuclear, wind and solar to curb surging demand for imported oil and gas and to reduce environmental damage from heavy reliance on coal. However, government officials signalled the country's nuclear policy would prioritise safety following Japan's devastating nuclear crisis.

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