China has agreed to take a one-third stake in French power giant EDF’s $25 billion next-generation nuclear project at Hinkley Point in Britain, French business daily Les Echos said Tuesday.
The deal comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on a four-day state visit to Britain to build closer business ties.
China is taking a 33.5-per cent share in the construction of two reactors at Hinkley Point, southwestern England, in a deal signed by EDF with China General Nuclear Power Corporation and China National Nuclear Corporation, Les Echos said.
The agreement also foresees the possibility of building a Chinese “Hualong” nuclear reactor at Bradwell, southeastern England, which is also owned by EDF’s British offshoot EDF Energy, the paper said.
EDF declined to comment on the report.