Senior manager at UK's Franco-Chinese nuclear project resigns, FT says

Chris Bakken, the US-born project director in charge of building a joint Franco-Chinese nuclear power plant in the UK, has resigned and will move to a more senior job in the US, the Financial Times reported, citing Bakkn and his employer, France's EDF.

Hinkley Point C is the site chosen for Britain's latest nuclear power plant, and is being financed by EDF with 66.5 percent and China's state-owned CGN providing 33.4 percent.

The plant, using EDF's technology, is due to be completed by 2025, when it will provide an estimated 7 percent of the UK's electricity needs.

Bakken said he is joining Entergy in the US as its chief nuclear officer from April 6, the Financial Times said.

The EDF has named Philippe Bordarier, chief nuclear officer for EDF Energy Generation, to take over the project at Hinkley Point C.

EDF had been due to take a final decision on financing for the project last week but delayed doing so because of concerns over its plans; the Financial Times said EDF, which is 85 percent owned by the French government, was seeking to get the state to take over part of its stake in Hinkley Point C.

To contact the reporter: chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com