China 'will no longer bid to build nuclear power plant in Essex' amid backlash over British Steel meltdown
China will no longer build a nuclear power station in Essex amid fresh scrutiny over Beijing's involvement in critical UK infrastructure, it has emerged.
The state-run China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) had been looking to develop the proposed Bradwell B site in conjunction with French-owned EDF.
It was due to be located close to a decommissioned nuclear power station in Bradwell-on-Sea and provide electricity for around four million homes.
But Government and industry sources told The Times that they no longer expected planning applications to be submitted by CGN for the site.
EDF, the owners of the Bradwell site, will now look to take back the lease from CGN at the earliest opportunity, the newspaper reported.
It comes after the Government's public row with the Chinese owners of British Steel sparked new concerns about China's involvement in key British industries.
Ministers were forced to seize control of British Steel's plant at Scunthorpe from Jingye in a bid to keep the crucial blast furnaces going.
Fears have previously been raised about CGN - who hold a majority stake in the Bradwell B project - having a role in Britain's nuclear sites.
The state-run China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) had been looking to develop the proposed Bradwell B site in conjunction with French-owned EDF
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds pictured during a visit to the British Steel site in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
In 2022, the previous Tory government paid around £100million to CGN to exit the Sizewell C nuclear project in Suffolk.
The next year, CGN halted its funding for Hinkley Point C in Somerset, although it continues to hold a minority stake in the project.
CGN has been sanctioned by the US and, in 2016, the US Department of Justice charged the state-owned company with stealing nuclear secrets.
Following the row over British Steel, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds yesterday said he would 'look at a Chinese firm in a different way' when it comes to future involvement in the UK steel sector.
'In this case, our difference of opinion on the future was with a specific company,' he added.
'I know there's a lot of interest in the wider UK-China relationship, understandably so but this was about this company.
'I think we've got to recognise that steel is a sensitive sector.'
This appeared to be a softening of Mr Reynolds' stance from the weekend, when he told broadcasters he would not 'personally bring a Chinese company into our steel sector' again.
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has called on the Government to define which industries are 'strategic' and prevent China from being allowed to invest in such sectors.
'Personally I think the whole Net Zero project is an energy project, therefore is strategic including therefore the nuclear industries,' he said.
'Steel and steelmaking are a strategic industry, all the arms manufacturers are strategic industries, and anything to do with water and various other areas, they're all strategic industries.'
It is understood the Government is not currently involved in the planning process for Bradwell B, with all future nuclear projects subject to rigorous national security tests.
CGN was contacted for comment.
