The conclusion of a consultation with EDF’s Central Works Council yesterday has cleared the way for a final investment decision (FID) to be made on the Hinkley Point C project. In addition, the French state-owned company said the UK referendum vote to leave the European Union is no barrier to the new nuclear power plant project, which is based in Somerset, England.
World Nuclear News 5th July 2016 read more »
The future of Hinkley is still shrouded in uncertainty, says the region’s Green MEP. Three unions representing workers of EDF, the state owned French company due to build the new nuclear reactors, issued a statement saying that the Brexit vote added new elements of uncertainty to the Hinkley Point project. Meanwhile, company bosses and the French government have said Britain’s referendum vote was not a barrier to the project and still expect the deal to be finalised in September. Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the South West, said: “The Hinkley charade continues and is in as much disarray as ever following the Brexit vote. Unions want out and EDF bosses want in. Following the vote to leave the EU we have entered an era of Plan B’s, so let’s add a Plan B for our energy supply to the list. “For months I have been calling for a plan based on the region’s huge renewable energy resources, which has the potential to provide more than 100% of the region’s energy needs and create thousands of new jobs. What is needed is political backing for a genuine energy transition away from dirty fossil fuels and dangerous and costly nuclear towards community owned renewables. We will also need an increase in public investment to bring this about as we will need to replace the private investment that will falter due to Brexit.”
Green Party 4th July 2016 read more »
EDF is pushing its board to make a final decision on the £18 billion nuclear power station at Hinkley Point before David Cameron leaves office. The French state-owned power giant insisted that the Brexit vote would have no impact on the scheme, which if built would generate 7 per cent of the UK’s electricity. Its statement followed a meeting with French unions; EDF had been pressured by the French government into a 60-day consultation period that ended yesterday. The unions fear that the project could cripple EDF, which has debts of 37 billion (£31 billion). Jean-Bernard Levy, the chief executive, is pushing for the board to meet this month. The date of the meeting is highly sensitive and is likely to be settled by President Hollande. The French state owns 85 per cent of the company. “EDF . . . considers that the [Brexit] vote does not change the fundamental features of the project nor the willingness of those involved to go ahead with it,” the statement said. “EDF reconfirms its confidence in the HPC [Hinkley Point C] project which has now reached the stage for the board’s final investment decision.”
Times 5th July 2016 read more »