EDF stockpiling materials in the event of no-deal Brexit

EDF has been stockpiling key materials to maintain operations in the event of a no-deal Brexit, one of the company’s directors has revealed.

Angela Hepworth, policy and regulation director at EDF Energy, told a Brexit briefing event yesterday (28 March) that the company had been putting in place plans for the “worst-case scenario” of a no-deal withdrawal from the EU.

The event was held by Energy UK’s office on the day before the UK had been due to depart from the EU.

The House of Commons voted today to reject the prime minister’s EU withdrawal agreement again. This time the deal was defeated by 344 votes to 286.

Hepworth said that EDF has been increasing its “strategic stocks” to boost resilience in the event of disruption to its supply chain. like key pieces of kit being held up by traffic jams at ports.

She also warned that “constant vigilance” will is needed to spot the “unforeseen issues” which Brexit is likely to throw up.

Hepworth said longer-term worries resulting from Brexit include access to labour, particularly in relation to the company’s new nuclear power plant construction project at Hinkley Point C.

Overall though, she said energy is “one of the best set up” sectors for dealing with Brexit, giving the government “credit” for resolving the risks to the movement of nuclear fuel and materials as a result of the UK’s departure from the Euratom treaty.

She was backed up by Matt Hinde, director of energy at public affairs agency Fleishman Hillard.

“On energy we are in a pretty good place not least thanks to the work of BEIS (business, energy and industrial strategy,” he said, adding that the proposed political declaration outlining the UK’s future relationship with the EU is a “good starting point for a good relationship”.

And the former UK government head of EU energy strategy added the UK’s good performance over recent years in terms of cutting emissions provides scope for a “grand bargain” with the EU on an area that is central to its mission.

But he warned that this good progress on the UK’s energy relationship with the EU could be jeopardised by logjams in the wider Brexit negotiations.

Responding to the latest developments in Westminster, the deputy director-general of the CBI, Josh Hardie, commented: “All eyes are now on Monday to discover what Parliament is for. The UK’s reputation, people’s jobs and livelihoods are at stake. No deal is two weeks away.

“This winner takes all approach means everyone loses. Indicative votes must deliver. Only MPs can end this nightmare for businesses,” added Hardie.

• Utility Week’s Energy Summit ‘Delivering a robust future for UK energy in a post-Brexit landscape’ takes place in London on 13 June. Download details at  https://event.utilityweek.co.uk/summit/