EDF revises Hinkley Point C schedule and costs

In January 2021, EDF said the start of electricity generation from unit 1 had been rescheduled to June 2026, compared with end-2025 as initially announced in 2016. Delays arising from the COVID-19 pandemic would also increase the cost of the project by GBP500 million (USD624 million) to between GBP22 and 23 billion.

EDF said it has now completed a review that took into account the main aspects of the project to build the two 1630 MWe EPR reactors, but did not include a review of the schedule and cost of electromechanical works and of final testing.

The company has announced a further one-year delay to the start-up of unit 1, with "the risk of further delay of the two units assessed at 15 months, assuming the absence of a new pandemic wave and no additional effects of the war in Ukraine." It noted that since the start of construction in December 2018, the project has been delayed by 18 months in total, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EDF also announced a GBP3 billion rise in the cost of the overall project. However, it noted that under the terms of the project's Contract for Difference with the British government, there is no impact for UK consumers.

"During more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project continued without stopping. This protected the integrity of the supply chain and allowed the completion of major milestones," EDF said. "However, people, resources and supply chain have been severely constrained and their efficiency has been restricted. In addition, the quantities of materials and engineering as well as the cost of such activities, including, in particular marine works have risen."

EDF said the next major milestone at the Hinkley Point C project will be the lifting of the containment dome on unit 1, expected during the second quarter of 2023.