Chinese manufacturer Dongfang Heavy Machinery has shipped a low-pressure heater to French utility EDF, working under contract for Dongfang Electricity Corporation, according to a Chinese media report.
China Economic Net reported that the 13.85 meters-long heater is sued to improve efficiency at 900 MW nuclear power plants.
EDF vice president Fabtrice Fourcade noted that the shipment was the first major component ordered from China for the utility's nuclear power plants. The international cooperation that made this possible, said DEC Heavy Machinery deputy general manager Ming Xiangiun, will pave the way for future business between the two countries.
EDF and the China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) are working together on several nuclear power plants slated for Britain, beginning with the Hinkley Point C project, which involves French technology with help from CGN financing.
Following Hinkley Point C will be projects at Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex that rely on EDF and GGNP cooperation. GGN is helping the first two project and has submitted its HPR1000 technology to British regulators for use at the Bradwell project, which will be majority owned (66.5 percent) by GGN and the rest by EDF.