EDF’S workers’ committee is expected to demand today that a nuclear power plant at Hinkley, Somerset, is delayed. The energy firm has yet to make a decision on how to raise £18bn of funds needed for the power station, and has put off deciding until September to allow time to consult the unions. The unions are obliged to deliver their opinion today on whether Hinkley should go ahead. But three of them issued a statement last week to say that Britain’s vote to leave the European Union added new elements of uncertainty. It follows a legal action launched earlier this month in French courts by EDF’s Works Council, who asked for the project to be put off. It is feared that if the unions do not support the project it could further delay Hinkley, which was due to be completed in 2017 but is currently expected to be finished by 2025.
Daily Mail 3rd July 2016 read more »
The leaders of four British trade unions have called on EDF to confirm its commitment to proceeding with the proposed new UK nuclear power station at Hinkley Point-C. The GMB said the UK is already at growing risk of power shortages from over-reliance on unpredictable renewables and energy needs have not changed since last week’s referendum vote in favour of British Independence from the EU-bloc. This is the message behind a letter from four trade unions – GMB, Unite, Ucatt, and Prospect – to the chief executive of EDF Energy, Vincent de Rivaz, as the French energy giant is poised to make the ‘final investment decision’ (FID) for the Somerset plant.
Scottish Energy News 4th July 2016 read more »