CONFIDENTIAL
rather than adopt a separate route for the China PWR which could
be erected at the same time or even earlier has obvious attractions.
The exchange of experience could benefit both projects and would
help to overcome doubts that must exist about the ability of GEC
to take total contractual responsibility for what could be not
only the UK's first PWR but also built in unknown and potentially a difficult foreign environment. Given the political as well as
economic significance of the project, there are strong arguments for minimising the risks wherever possible and building on any developing relationships and practices that may exist. Officials would not want to underestimate the enormity of the task facing the UK on this project and the fact that its credibility will
be at stake. Equally however it is important that due priority
be given to the UK's nuclear programme NNC in particular are likely to be heavily committed in the UK and will not wish to divert scarce resources abroad. Officials therefore propose
that they should investigate with GEC and NNC the resources required adequately to pursue this project against the resources likely to be available and to report back.
Operational Package
32
Both KEC and CLP recognise their inability actually to operate and maintain a nuclear PWR station; CLP will probably be asked to arrange the provision of suitably qualified staff about 40-50 for a period of between 5 and 10 years, during which time Chinese engineers can acquire the necessary expertise and then take over the running of the station. Initial management will probably be arranged by means of a new Hong Kong registered company, the Project Management Company (PMC) whose income will be solely derived from fees paid to it by the joint venture. The joint study team
has said that it would welcome staff from the CEGB and from the
country that is providing the nuclear island. As neither Framatome nor Westinghouse are able to provide operational staff on a long term basis, the latter option would in practice require people to be
seconded from electricity utilities in either France or the USA.
It would of course be feasible for personnel from both Electritite
de France and the CEGB to work together to run the station but this would require well-defined management structures.
-
11
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.