Hinkley Point gets final investment approval from France’s EDF / Hinkley Point: New hitch for UK nuclear plant deal

At its meeting on 28 July 2016, EDF’s Board of Directors made the final investment decision and gave the President the authorisation to ensure its full execution in the framework of the signature process of all the contracts and agreements necessary to build the two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point C (HPC) in Somerset, in south-west England.

Following this decision, the conditions had been met to allow the French company EDF to sign the contracts with the British Government, EDF’s historic partner China General Nuclear Power Generation (CGN), and the main suppliers of the project.

However, soon after the decision by EDF was announced, news reports suggested that unexpectedly the UK Government had postponed a final decision on going ahead with the contract until the early autumn of 2016, and planned another review of the controversial project.

In an editorial The Guardian wrote that the project would suck up billions of pounds that ought to be invested in reducing demand and developing renewables in the United Kingdom.

• Primary Source

EDF Energy: Press Release, 28.07.16: EDF’s Board of Directors approves the final investment decision for HPC https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point-c/news-views/FID

EDF: Nuclear New Build Projects: Hinkley Point C https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point-c

ESO: Background information: Doubts grow over planned UK nuclear plant http://www.europeansources.info/record/doubts-grow-over-planned-uk-nuclear-plant/

The Guardian, 28.07.16: [Editorial]: The Guardian view on Hinkley C: wrong project, wrong price https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/28/the-guardian-view-on-hinkley-c-wrong-project-wrong-price

EurActiv, 28.07.16: Resignation of EDF director paves way for Hinkley Point go-ahead http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/resignation-of-edf-director-paves-way-for-hinkley-point-go-ahead/

Politico, 28.07.16: UK nuclear deal gets green light despite Brexit http://www.politico.eu/article/france-approves-hinkley-nuclear-plant-for-the-uk-despite-brexit-worries-edf/

The Guardian, 29.07.16: Hinkley Point C in doubt after British government delays approval https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/28/hinkley-point-c-to-go-ahead-after-edf-board-approves-project

France24, 28.07.16: France's EDF approves Hinkley Point nuclear reactor http://www.france24.com/en/20160728-france-edf-approves-hinkley-point-nuclear-reactor

EurActiv, 29.07.16: UK to reconsider controversial nuclear energy plans http://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/uk-to-reconsider-controversial-nuclear-energy-plans/

Politico, 01.08.16: David Cameron gives Theresa May £18bn Hinkley headache http://www.politico.eu/article/david-cameron-gives-theresa-may-18bn-hinkley-headache/

Nuclear Industry Association: Press Release, 29.07.16: Government need to make quick decision on Hinkley, say NIA http://www.niauk.org/promos/2390-government-need-to-make-quick-decision

The Guardian: Tag: Hinkley Point C https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/hinkley-point-c

The Guardian, 01.08.16: China warns UK over 'suspicious approach' to Hinkley Point deal https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/01/china-warns-uk-over-suspicious-approach-to-hinkley-point-deal

BBC News, 30.07.16: May had objections to Hinkley Point, says Cable http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36932027

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