AT THE grand opening of Cannington Court last week the EDF Energy CEO Vincent de Rivaz announced the green light for the construction of Hinkley C was “weeks” away.


He was unable to give a start date in part due to issues over the building of the reactor, while the Mercury understands there is still a funding gap with complex legal work yet to be completed to tie up the deal with EDF and the Chinese Government.


However his optimism and that of the Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell Grainger have been rejected by the anti-nuclear group Stop Hinkley. Cannington-based Roy Pumfrey of the organisation said: “Mr Liddell Grainger talked about April as the start time – but which April? Let’s not forget that the construction products association had it that even if the final investment decision was signed when the Chinese premier was here in October it would be 2018 before anything actually happened.”

Last month the British Government hosted a visit by the Chinese leader whose Government controlled nuclear power firm CGN is providing a third of the money to build Hinkley C. 

As a result EDF said Hinkley Point C is scheduled to be producing electricity by 2025. 
In September Vincent de Rivaz tackled the opposition to Hinkley and the timing of the build. 
He said: “People have said that because Hinkley Point won’t come on line when we originally said it would, it is too late. Incidentally – these are often the same people who say that we should delay the decision, rethink the approach, wait to see what new technology might come along. 
"In fact Hinkley Point will come in time. Not too early, not too late. When it arrives it will be welcome and it will be needed.”

He said that in a few years, Britain will need Hinkley Point C as there will be a shortage of power plants and it would operate for 60 years creating jobs and electricity for the region. 

However the EDF boss said: “I acknowledge that we will have taken longer than we originally thought. But in the scale of this investment – 60 years of operation – we have to focus on the main points: Will it be there when the country needs it? Yes it will. Will it be on cost and on schedule? Yes it will. Will it be safe in construction and operation? Yes it will.”
 

What are your views on Hinkley C? Email harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk