China General Nuclear Power Corp (CGNPC) is "very confident" that it will meet its timetable to build the first nuclear reactor in the world using an advanced French technology, the company's spokesperson said.

"We are very confident of making the year-end target [for the first reactor in Taishan, Guangdong]," Huang Xiaofei, the CGNPC spokesman, said.

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The so-called "third generation" European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) design will be incorporated on the Taishan project. The EPR system is described by French tech supplier Areva as the most cost-efficient and safer than the current second-generation designs.

According to the South China Morning Post, meeting the revised schedule's requirements is key to cementing CGNPC's global leadership in developing nuclear power projects. Moreover, it will also attract potential overseas clients to buy into the China-made Hualong reactors.

Last month, CGNPC said that its timetable has been delayed by a further half year to the second half of 2017, saying the company needs "more experimental verifications in respect of its design and equipment." The time frame for the second unit's commercial generation has also been pushed back to the first half of 2018.

Originally, the project was expected to finish in 2015. And such delays have resulted to increase of project and depreciation costs.

Huang, on the other hand, defended that it is in line with engineering "norms" that first-of-its-kind projects and products are prone to "some schedule slippages."

"It is similar to the automobile industry, where time is needed between the first sample and mass production, to conduct trials and tests to assure quality."

State-owned CGNPC, the parent of listed CGN Power, is the biggest nuclear power projects developer in the world in terms of projects under construction, and the fifth largest by operating capacity.

TagsChina General Nuclear Power Corp, CGNPC, European Pressurized Reactor, Areva, nuclear reactor