Final decision on Hinkley Point C postponed

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

EDF has again delayed making a final investment decision for the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in the UK. A decision had been expected by the end of 2015.

The French utility's board had been due to meet today to finalise the decision on constructing the two EPR units at Hinkley Point C. However, media reports say the decision to go ahead with the project was taken off the agenda. They suggest a final investment decision could now be announced on 16 February at the earliest, when EDF is scheduled to report its annual results. EDF itself has made no comment on the reported delay.

The planned Hinkley Point C plant - the first new nuclear power station built in the UK in almost 20 years - is scheduled to begin operating in 2025. Together, the two reactors will provide about 7% of the UK's electricity.

Under a deal agreed last October, China General Nuclear will take a 33.5% stake in EDF Energy's £18 billion ($28 billion) project to construct the plant. In addition, the two companies will develop projects to build new plants at Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex, the latter using Chinese reactor technology.

EDF's share in the project stands at 66.5%, but the company said it intends to offer other investors stakes in the project. However, it plans to retain at least a 50% stake itself.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News