DESPITE the growing mountain of evidence that EDF’s proposed £18billion nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point, Somerset, will be bad for consumers, the taxpayer, business and potentially the environment, the Government seems pigheadedly wedded to the idea. Thankfully, the contract has yet to be signed, so there is still time to walk away. For the sake of taxpayers, consumers, industry and the environment, I hope the Government does so.
Express 13th March 2016 read more »
THE CHAIRMAN of EDF is confident the controversial nuclear power station Hinkley Point will go ahead despite the fact UK customers could pay four times as much for their energy as the Germans.
Express 13th March 2016 read more »
Fresh doubts have arisen over plans by French Energy firm EDF to build an £18bn nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point, Somerset. Angus MacNeil, chairman of the House of Commons energy committee, has called for the project to be re-examined. It follows a letter that EDF chief executive Jean-Bernard Levy sent to his staff, saying the project needed more funding from the French government. The UK government said it was “committed” to Hinkley Point. But Mr MacNeil, an MP for the SNP, said the government needed to urgently rethink its support for the proposal.
BBC 12th March 2016 read more »
5 reasons why we are backing Hinkley Point C, as part of our plan to tackle a legacy of under-investment in the UK’s energy infrastructure and build a system fit for the 21st century.
DECC 12th March 2016 read more »
Measures to control risks associated with the planned new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point could be strengthened to enhance the safety of the project, according to a safety expert. Yannick d’Escatha was asked by EDF to work on the multi billion pound project risk review ahead of an eagerly awaited final decision regarding investment for the Somerset plant. He conducted the review with the help of five EDF experts independent from the project. He said: “Evidently any project involves risk. The key is to put them under control.
Western Daily Press 12th March 2016 read more »
Belfast Telegraph 12th March 2016 read more »
Nuclear plant a white elephant – Molly Scott-Cato.
Plymouth Herald 12th March 2016 read more »
Electricity generated from onshore wind now being installed in the UK is over 30 per cent cheaper than Hinkley C – and that’s using official market data. Onshore wind schemes now being installed are being paid over 30 per cent less than what Hinkley C would be paid under the UK Government’s current agreement with EDF if it was generating now. Of course this 30 per cent is really a big underestimate of the price difference because Hinkley C is offered the prospect of a loan guarantee for around two thirds of the capital costs – a commitment that is, metaphorically, worth its weight in gold, and one that is simply not available to onshore wind schemes. You don’t believe me? Well work out the sums yourself. Onshore wind’s income stream essentially consists of two items, first the wholesale power cost, which since December has been running at around £30-35 per MWh, and then it receives 75 per cent of the value of a renewable obligation certificate (ROC) which at the latest e-auction price was valued at £42.70. So that gives you a price paid to onshore wind schemes being set up now of £67 per MWh.
Dave Toke’s Blog 12th March 2016 read more »
Good government sometimes consists of correcting a potentially disastrous mistake before it is too late. Hinkley Point is one such. Progress towards construction of Hinkley Point C would be progress in the wrong direction. The project is too expensive for British consumers and too expensive for its main investor, France’s EDF. Its other investor, the China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), is anxious to proceed because Hinkley Point suits Beijing’s agenda of investing in Britain’s critical infrastructure and eventually showcasing its own nuclear technology at other British sites. Even if construction went without a hitch, Hinkley Point C would be the world’s most expensive power station. It would cost more to build than China’s Three Gorges hydroelectric dam and produce one seventh the power. The only investor confident it can afford its stake is CNG, wholly-owned by a one-party state that is unconcerned about breaking even. Chin a sees the project as a loss leader. It hopes it will yield prestige and, in due course, export sales. French trade unions as well as the state auditor have made clear their opposition to Hinkley Point. Moody’s, the ratings agency, has warned that if EDF proceeds its credit rating will be at risk. If this project unravels China will lose face. British ministers will look foolish too. But saving face is the worst possible reason for building anything, especially a problem-plagued nuclear power station. This government has shown it can be flexible. It should make a U-turn on Hinkley Point.
Times 11th March 2016 read more »
EDF said a decision by the European Commission to approve the proposed partnership between EDF and China General Nuclear (CGN) supporting new nuclear projects in the UK is “a positive step” for the Hinkley Point C project and shows that the robust agreements underpinning the project continue to pass independent scrutiny. EDF also confirmed that it is looking to take a final investment decision on Hinkley Point C “in the near future”. In a statement yesterday the French company said the French and UK governments have also recently expressed their support for the project. CGN and EDF have signed a framework agreement for the proposed construction of Hinkley Point C, with EDF Energy holding 66.50 percent and CGN 33.50 percent, and Sizewell C, with EDF owning 80 percent and CGN holding 20 percent. CGN is also aiming to build a nuclear plant at Bradwell B in Essex using its Hualong One reactor technology and EDF Energy has said it will help CGN with the UK regulatory approval process for the reactor design.
Nucnet 11th March 2016 read more »