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The decision to approve the funding plans for the £16 billion Hinkley Point C new nuclear plant has been welcomed by policy makers and industry as an important milestone in the UK government’s bid to bring forward billions in low carbon investment, although opposition to the plans persists from anti-nuclear campaigners.
UK energy secretary Ed Davey:
“This is an important next step on the road to Britain’s first new nuclear power station in a generation. While there is much work still to do before a final contract can be signed, today’s announcement is a boost to our efforts to ensure Britain has secure, affordable low carbon electricity in the 2020s.”
UK shadow energy minister Tom Greatrex:
“The Commission’s decision emphasises the delivery of value for the consumer, and serves as a reminder to the Government that transparency and accountability are important principles…. we will hold the government to account on the assurances they gave while the Energy Act was going through Parliament that new nuclear deals will be subject to thorough scrutiny to ensure value for money.”
Energy UK chief executive Angela Knight:
“A decision on Hinkley signals that at long last the much needed investment in new nuclear power stations can now start. This is an essential part of making sure the UK’s electricity supply for the future is secure. Investing for energy that is always there at the flick of a switch must be balanced with affordability for all users and long contracts – such as Hinkley – make the end result fair for consumers and clear for investors.”
CBI director-general John Cridland:
“Hinkley should set the ball rolling for the UK’s nuclear new build programme, putting us on the right path to achieving a secure and sustainable energy mix. It represents a real opportunity for growth, with the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs for people – not just in the local community, but up and down the whole country.”
World Nuclear Association director general Agneta Rising:
“Today’s announcement takes the UK forward towards joining the global investment trend in a new generation of clean, affordable and reliable nuclear energy. The decision will be welcome by all those planning new nuclear build projects in the EU and similar markets.”
The decision was not without opposition from anti-nuclear green group Greenpeace or the threat of a legal challenge from anti-nuclear Austrian ministers Werner Faymann and Reinhold Mitterlehner.
Greenpeace EU legal adviser Andrea Carta:
“This is a world record sell-out to the nuclear industry at the expense of taxpayers and the environment. It’s such a distortion of competition rules that the Commission has left itself exposed to legal challenges. There is absolutely no legal, moral or environmental justification in turning taxes into guaranteed profits for a nuclear power company whose only legacy will be a pile of radioactive waste. This is a bad plan for everyone except EDF.”
News reports published shortly after the approval confirmed the intention of Austrian ministers to mount a legal challenge against the decision. Reuters reported that Austria’s chancellor and vice-chancellor sent a letter to the Commission President warning that it was preparing to take the Commission to the European Court of Justice.
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