The saga of the construction of Hinkley Point C power station took another twist this week with news that the Chinese partner in the proposed new Somerset power station is facing nuclear espionage charges in the US.
China General Nuclear Power (CGN), a state-owned energy giant, is accused of leading a conspiracy to steal American power industry secrets to speed up the development and production of Chinese reactor technology.
Szuhsiung Ho, a senior adviser to CGN, is due in court next week accused of recruiting US experts to obtain sensitive nuclear technology for China in a plot that threatened US security, reports The Times. The case follows an investigation by the FBI.
The news comes amidst pressure from the Chinese for the British government to agree to the deal, which was unexpectedly put on hold following the go ahead from EDF early this month.
Theresa May stalled the project pending a review. China has warned Britain that the relationship between the two countries is at a “critical juncture” and will be at risk unless it goes ahead with the Hinkley Point nuclear power station.
These revelations could add to alleged government security fears around China’s involvement in the Hinkley project. Meanwhile, The Times is also reporting that the bill for cleaning up the first generation of nuclear power stations in Britain will rise.
Cavendish Fluor Partnership, a joint venture led by Babcock, the British defence and engineering company, has told the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority that the cost of cleaning up the 12 Magnox reactors will rise by 18% to more than £10bn.
