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#Hinkley Point C: Controversial nuclear power plant to go ahead

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hinkley-04EDF has said it was delighted by the British government’s decision today (15 September) to confirm its agreement for the construction by EDF of two EPR reactors at Hinkley Point C, writes Catherine Feore.

The approval of this construction project for two nuclear reactors on the Hinkley Point site in Somerset in the south-west of England marks the conclusion of ten years of preparation and rigorous planning. It is estimated that the project will create 25,000 job opportunities on the site during construction, and will offer numerous opportunities for local and national businesses. Areva, GE-Alstom and BYLOR as well as hundreds of French medium size businesses and SMEs will be committed to the success of the project.

An exchange of letters between EDF and the British authorities will soon formalize their wish to take into account the EDF’s commitment to retain control of HPC project. It should be noted that Hinkley Point C is an essential part of the EDF Group’s CAP 2030 strategy to treble its business activity outside France. The EDF Group will work ‘vigorously’ with its longstanding partner, the Chinese electricity producer CGN to guarantee the success of this project.

EDF Group CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy said: “The decision of the British Government to approve the construction of Hinkley Point C marks the relaunch of nuclear in Europe. It demonstrates the UK's desire to lead the fight against climate change through the development of low carbon electricity. This decision demonstrates confidence in the EPR technology and in the world renowned expertise of the French nuclear industry.”

Vincent de Rivaz, CEO of EDF Energy and Executive Committee member of the Group said the experience and expertise gained from restarting new nuclear build in the UK will help following projects to be cheaper. This would suggest that they don’t believe the current project will reduce its costs  - considered by many to be excessive. The costs are supported by British government guarantee that well exceeds the market price and many argue that the same goals could have been achieved in a more cost effective way.

Questions have also been raised about the safety of the new type of plant. The only two similar plants have both faced security risks with the French regulator being particularly critical of the Flammanville project in Northern France. The Finnish and French plants have also run overtime and overbudget, with high profile resignations of the Chief Finance Officer and members of the board.

With ongoing court cases this may not be the last word on this investment.

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Reacting to the news that the government is likely to give the green light to a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset, Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the region and long-time opponent of the project, said: "When Theresa May called for a comprehensive review of Hinkley, it was hoped she would conclude that the project was economically illiterate, technically flawed, environmentally risky and a threat to security. This is what scientific, economic and environmental experts have been saying for years.

"But this is post-Brexit Britain, where the government turns its back on experts in the name of political expediency. Having insulted our European partners, the government believes it cannot afford to offend the Chinese. In a desperate attempt to demonstrate Brexit Britain is open for business, the government is engaged in a national kowtow exercise, handing over our energy infrastructure to the Chinese Communist Party.

"This is the exact opposite of taking back control. Real control would come through a renewable energy revolution, providing cheaper and greener electricity, greater energy security and generating thousands more home grown jobs than nuclear power. Community owned renewables can also take power away from foreign corporations and governments and hand it back to the people; a path Germany and other countries are embarking on.

"The government says it will introduce greater scrutiny of future deals to protect national security, but not for this project. I simply can't understand why, if the current arrangements need to be changed, they are good enough for the people I represent in South West England. Effectively, consumers and businesses will pay the price for what the government is acknowledging is a massive error in our approach to the ownership and control of critical infrastructure. Also, we are told we will receive information about sale of the stake by EDF but not be able to prevent it. So the whole thing could end up belonging to the Chinese.

"As for Labour, they are still stuck in the nuclear bunker, willing to support a discredited scheme to keep British unions happy. Meanwhile, French unions, who have expressed serious doubts about the financial and technical viability of Hinkley, will be seriously worried by today's news.

"The UK is rich in renewable potential but with this government and an opposition in name only, there is a desperate lack of political will."

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