The Hinkley Point C Power Station (HPC) project has now been approved
by the UK government for construction in the South West of England, Somerset. This £18bn nuclear power station will be financed by the French and Chinese governments.
Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark, stated to the House of Commons that measures will ensure that foreign investment in the UK’s infrastructure will work “in the country’s best interests.”
Hinkley C – For and Against
After a month of uncertainty from the public and several delays, this approval is step one in a long process before the nuclear project is fully underway.
Opposing opinions have been brewing in Somerset, with county council spokesmen ensuring the positive influence of job creation, meanwhile Greenpeace state that an investment in renewable energy would be much more reliable.
Oppositions from French trade unions also appeared when concerns over Areva’s EPR reactor grew.
The EPR reactor is the type to be used at Hinkley Point C, but its complex design has caused severe delays and has seen the costings stretched to three times over the original budget.
EDF’s Video – Meet The People Living and Working at Hinkley Point C
Construction will provide roughly 25,000 jobs. At the peak of the project build, 5,600 people will be working at the site.
85% French state owned energy giant EDF will lead the project, with China’s CGN taking a 33.5% stake in Hinkley Point C. CGN will be required to fund a third of the £18bn price tag.
It is approximated that Hinkley could be generating electricity for the UK market by 2025.
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