Hinkley contract ‘marks new era for nuclear power’
3 Oct 2016
The government, EDF and CGN have signed the final agreement allowing for the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in Somerset.
The agreement, signed last week by secretary of state Greg Clark, EDF chairman Jean-Bernard Levy and CGN chairman He Yu, followed a review of the project and revised terms with EDF.
Signing the Contract for Difference for Hinkley Point C is a crucial moment in the UK’s first new nuclear power station for a generation
Secretary of state Greg Clark
Within that review, the government introduced a series of ‘enhanced’ security measures, including reforms to the government’s approach to the ownership and control of critical infrastructure.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in London, Clark said: “Signing the Contract for Difference for Hinkley Point C is a crucial moment in the UK’s first new nuclear power station for a generation and follows new measures put in place by Government to strengthen security and ownership.
“Britain needs to upgrade its supplies of energy, and we have always been clear that nuclear power stations like Hinkley play an important part in ensuring our future low-carbon energy security.”
The final agreement marks a significant step forward for a new era of nuclear power in the UK, the government said.
Hinkley Point C, which will be operated by EDF, alongside CGN, will create roughly 26,000 jobs and is expected to generate 7% of the UK’s electricity needs.
Commenting on the agreement, energy workers’ union GMB said it was “fantastic news”.
Justin Bowden, GMB national secretary for energy, said: "The formal go-ahead for Hinkley is the first serious sign that UK plc is open for business post-Brexit and holding a secret ceremony did not do justice to such an historic event."
