National Power eyes China deal

THE CHINESE authorities are expected to approve plans by National Power and GEC to form a company to build and operate a coal-fired power station in Jiaxing county. The plant would generate about 2,500 megawatts and could cost more than pounds 1bn, writes Mary Fagan.

The project consortium also includes Zhejiang Power Development Company, East China Power Corporation and China International Trust and Investment Corporation. It is thought the British partners may put up about 40 per cent of the costs.

National Power confirmed that informal talks have been going on for some months. The company regards the project as a potential foothold into the Chinese market.

It is one of several international projects being pursued by National Power as it expands beyond Britain. It is a partner in a coal-fired power station under construction in Portugal and has a stake in a power-station project in Spain using clean-coal technology. The company also has interests in five power stations in the US.