Fresh blow for Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor build timetable

Comments (1)

Question marks about the prospects of the massive Hinkley C nuclear reactor build in Somerset emerged yesterday as EDF revealed it is temporarily cutting the number of people working on the project.

The French energy giant said the decision was nothing more than sound project management during protracted negotiations with the Government about what price guarantees it will give for electricity generated at Hinkley.

But opponents seized on it as evidence that troubles had beset the enormous civil engineering project.

EDF, revealed it is temporarily cutting hundreds of jobs in a bid to control costs as crucial Government talks over the price it can charge for electricity generated by its planned new Hinkley C plant drag on. Talks are understood to be progressing, but the site on the Somerset coast is costing the French power giant £1 million a day.

Sources said the job losses would be “significant”, but temporary, and will affect England, including London, and France.

Anti-nuclear campaigners claimed that the news was a sign that the project is on the verge of collapse.

And leaders of the GMB union said there is: “real concern” that the project could be derailed.”

But industry sources see the decision as essential good house-keeping. In a statement yesterday the company said: “As part of good project management, and to control costs, EDF Energy has taken steps to refocus its activities at its Hinkley Point C project.

“This reflects its priorities ahead of securing the financing necessary for the project.

“In this context much activity including further detailed pre-construction engineering work will continue ahead of the later construction phase.

“This means there will be a reduction in the number of people working on the project for the time being.

“Negotiations with the UK Government to agree a contract for the electricity from Hinkley Point C are making progress.“

EDF was granted planning permission for the twin reactor from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in March.

The reactor design was approved by regulators last year, and the nuclear site licence was also granted last year.

But negotiations over the “strike price” are controversial. The Government is wary of setting too high a price in a deal that will guarantee EDF a price for electricity for at least 30 years, paid through levies on consumer energy bills.

Duncan McGinty, leader of Sedgemoor District Council, many of whose communities will be affected by the new station, said in a statement: “We note the statement from EDF and welcome the comment that negotiations on the contract with the UK Government are making progress.

“Sedgemoor District Council will continue to work with the community and EDF Energy so that we are ready to play our part in delivering this nationally important project when agreement is reached.”