March 19, 2013

expert reaction to the Hinkley Point nuclear decision

The Government granted planning permission to EDF Energy for the building of a nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.

Prof Jim Watson, Research Director, UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), said:

“Today’s planning consent for Hinkley C is only one of several steps that need to be taken before this plant can be built. A more important decision concerns the level of financial support consumers will provide to EdF Energy. That decision has not yet been made. Because there is no competition to build this particular plant, it is essential that the government protects the interests of consumers in the on-going negotiations – and minimises the risk that they will pay too much for this or any other low carbon electricity project.”

Prof Andrew H. Sherry FREng, Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute at The University of Manchester, said:

“This decision is good news for the UK.  As a low carbon source of electricity, new nuclear build will help the UK meet its challenging but necessary 2050 carbon reduction target.  While there remain some issues to overcome, the building of new nuclear power stations, including that at Hinkley Point C, will create thousands of new jobs and will contribute significantly to economic growth — particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and construction.”