Nuclear builder energized by Welsh wind farm project

China General Nuclear's renewable energy unit announced on Wednesday it has started building the Brenig onshore wind farm in Wales. It is carrying out the work in partnership with Britain's Jones Bros Civil Engineering.

The 16-turbine project is due to be completed in 2018. It will have the capacity to generate up to 37.6 megawatts of power and could potentially power 25,000 households.

Lu Wei, general manager of CGN European Energy Company, said Brenig is significant because it is the first time the company has led the construction of a wind power project.

Lu said the area's geography and its high-quality wind source meant the project attracted bids from many leading energy suppliers. CGN's ability to secure the project was a good reflection of the company's capabilities, Lu said.

Incorporated in 2014 in France, CGN European Energy Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of CGN, which is an investor in the United Kingdom's nuclear power sector. CGN European Energy Company focuses on investment, construction, operation, and management related to wind and solar power generation.

Since its establishment, CGN European Energy Company has taken on energy projects in the UK, France, Belgium and Ireland. The company says it is the seventh-largest new energy operator in Europe.

The Brenig wind farm should take between 12 and 15 months to construct. So far, it has created 6.4 million pounds ($8.46 million) of contracts for local companies, and Lu said he expects the project will stimulate the UK economy even more and continue to create jobs after the end of construction.

CGN European Energy Company also brought in the UK's Natural Power as a partner on the project. Natural Power will provide technical support in the construction process.

Lu said CGN European Energy Company's investment into new energy has already exceeded 1 billion euros ($1.18 billion). He added that the company is looking to invest in projects in the area covered by the Belt and Road Initiative.