China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group (CGNPC) may be associated with the construction of nuclear reactors in France, under a memorandum of understanding in 2010 with EDF. The deal worries some French lawmakers.
Socialist MEPs Jean-Marc Ayrault and Bernard Cazeneuve wrote in late December to the Prime Minister expressing their “deep concern” about the CGNPC and ask if “a Chinese company may (…) build nuclear power plants in France. ”
Their fears are based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2010 by the two energy groups. Part of this confidential document indeed mention the “CGNPC intention to participate in new nuclear projects with EDF in France and in other countries as an investor and / or service provider.”
Questioned by media, EDF said it was only a preliminary agreement. “The memorandum of understanding provides for cooperation in China and abroad but it is only a preliminary agreement, we are still at the discussion stage and no specific projects are determined with CGNPC,” said a spokesman for the group.