The start-up of a nuclear power plant south of Shanghai later this year has a lot riding on it.
It will be the first to use a new reactor designed by Westinghouse Electric Co., and its success is critical for the embattled company's future. Development of the same AP1000 model has been disastrous for the firm in the U.S., leading to bankruptcy and doubts over the future of its owner Toshiba Corp.
If all goes smoothly at the Sanmen facility, the Chinese could unleash a wave of approvals for new reactors. South Africa, India, Mexico and the Czech Republic are among other countries also considering the design, and are more likely to adopt it once China has taken the first, crucial step. That will boost the allure of Westinghouse should it be sold in the restructuring.