Beijing aproves French nuclear reactors

China has given final approval for the construction of a nuclear power plant with two powerful French-built reactors in southern Guangdong province, French power operator EDF announced yesterday.
China’s State Council, or cabinet, said last week that construction of the Taishan plant, which will have third-generation European Pressurised Reactors (EPR) from French nuclear group Areva, could go ahead, EDF said in a statement.
“Everything is now ready at the site for the pouring of the first concrete,” it said in its Asia-Pacific newsletter.
The groundbreaking ceremony had been expected over the summer but was pushed back, with Areva citing bad weather and administrative hiccups.
China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC) bought the two reactors in November 2007 for eight billion euros (11.8 billion dollars).
EDF has partnered with CGNPC for the construction and operation of the two reactors.