Chinese nuclear firms eye UK market

He says it makes commercial sense for Chinese nuclear firms to localize some of their supply chain in the UK because of the need for local capability and responsiveness throughout the life cycle.

Centronic is another UK firm closely eyeing opportunities to work with Chinese firms in the UK as an extension of its partnerships in China. Centronic, specializing in the design, manufacture, testing and development of radiation detectors, has provided a large amount of equipment to the Chinese nuclear market.

"Centronic has had a close relationship with our Chinese distributor for many years, and we provide a large product range to China outside of our reactor detectors, including Geiger Muller tubes and radiation tolerant cameras," says Craig Skillicorn, commercial director.

Another contender is Delta Controls, specializing in control instruments and sensors used in nuclear projects. Delta Controls initially entered the Chinese market through a partnership with French contractor Framatome (now Areva) and Alstom. It has supplied both the Ling Ao and Daya Bay nuclear power plants.

Chris Webborn, sales director, says his company is looking for opportunities to help Chinese firms in such areas as language, specifications, technical requirements, logistics and understanding UK nuclear investment processes. The company has met with Chinese suppliers to discuss such cooperation.

Mark Tomlinson, group development director of Sheffield Forgemasters, says the UK's nuclear supply chain has great competitive strength in making components to a high level of precision and accuracy, which also reduces costs.

Forgemasters has been supplying some key components that require a high level of precision in Chinese nuclear projects, while less sophisticated components for nuclear projects are more likely to be supplied by Chinese firms, he says.

"Those components that were relatively straightforward can be made in China, and we make very complicated things," Tomlinson says.