Plans to build Britain’s first nuclear power plant for more than two decades have been put on hold until the autumn after the United Kingdom government announced a new review into the £18 billion project at Hinkley Point in Somerset.
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A government source told The Guardian a new timetable had been agreed with the French government and as part of that the power station would be reviewed again.
A few hours after EDF’s board voted 10-to-seven to approve the £18bn ($24bn) scheme, energy secretary Greg Clark announced that he needed until September to study the subsidy contract. The company said the £18 billion ($23.7 billion) project is aimed at strengthening the company’s presence in Britain where it already has 15 nuclear reactors and is the largest supplier by volume.
“The new government should have the vision to come up with a serious plan to boost our energy infrastructure that will keep the lights on and the costs and carbon emissions down”.
He suggested security experts were anxious the Chinese could build weaknesses into computer systems that would allow them to “shut down Britain’s energy production at will” and argued against giving a “hostile state” access to the UK’s critical infrastructure. Last week, Theresa May met François Hollande, the French president, at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
However, indecision may be the worst option of all, giving the impression of a frightened new government caught in the headlights.
Before the deal can go ahead it must be approved by Prime Minister Theresa May, who will consider the details of the project before a final decision, expected in the autumn, the government said.
Britain is not involved in funding the upfront costs of the project, which are carried by developer EDF and its partners. Thousands of construction jobs would be on offer for building the new plant. The project is now eight years behind schedule.
Shadow Energy Secretary Barry Gardiner said the government was right to review the project. After years of procrastination, what is required is decisive action not dithering and more delay.
“One very attractive option is for the government to take a more active role and provide direct public investment in projects”.
Chinese officials reportedly returned home, as they were also expecting to sign contracts for their stakes in the project.
“We urge the EDF board to give the financial go-ahead on a project which will generate thousands of decent skilled jobs and help meet the energy needs of the United Kingdom for generations to come”, said Unite national officer for energy Kevin Coyne.
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The project has been controversial as the deal guaranteed the French state-owned energy firm EDF a price for the electricity generated from the plant for 35 years, which was set at £92.50 per megawatt hour in 2012 prices.
