On Hinkley Point, Timothy said: “Security experts, reportedly inside as well as outside government, are anxious that the Chinese could use their role to build weaknesses into computer systems, which will allow them to shut down Britain’s energy production at will”.
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Britain’s political commitment to the Hinkley deal has not wilted in the aftermath of the European Union referendum, even though its two key architects, former Prime Minister David Cameron and former finance minister George Osborne have been replaced by Theresa May and Philip Hammond. It is believed that the deals could lead to the Chinese designing and constructing a third nuclear reactor at Bradwell in Essex. He floated the idea that the Chinese might build in vulnerabilities that would allow them to shut down British energy production “at will”. We can only speculate on how much of this was discussed with French President Francois Hollande when he met May last week, and why EDF appears to have been taken off-guard as well.
A decision is expected in the autumn.
The UK press pointed out that EDF had originally meant to make its decision in September, but The Times added that the decision is likely “to unnerve” the French company.
“We now need the new ministers to quickly endorse the decision to show they are serious about industrial strategy, building new infrastructure by securing inward investment to create our low carbon energy supplies of the future”.
The source said the six staff representatives on the board had voted against the project.
But the G overnment has been warned that thousands of jobs are being put at risk by its “bewildering” decision.
Concerns have also been raised that two other projects in Europe using the same reactor technology are years behind schedule and billions over budget.
The Business and Energy Secretary said it would take until September to review the agreement, which provides for a relatively high output price of £92.50/MWh, equivalent to a £30bn subsidy, although all the project risk is to be borne by EDF.
Bowden said: “After years of procrastination, what is required is decisive action not dithering and more delay”.
The contracts were due to be signed today but the government says it “will carefully consider” the plan before backing it and there’ll be a decision in “early autumn”. “May”, EDF Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy said on an earnings call.
The national media reported that, just hours later, business and energy secretary Greg Clark had released a statement announcing a delay to the government’s final decsion. Joining EDF in a 2:1 partnership is the Chinese state owned company CGN.
The board of French utility EDF on Thursday narrowly voted to proceed with a controversial project to build two nuclear reactors in Hinkley Point, Britain – the country’s first new nuclear plant in decades.
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‘CGN remains committed to delivering this much needed nuclear capacity with our strategic partners, EDF, and providing the United Kingdom with safe, reliable and sustainable energy.
