The Nuclear Institute (NI) welcomes the European Commission’s decision to approve the Hinkley Point C State aid case, which is an important step forward for the first new nuclear power station in a generation.
The approval means that the project is recognised as being in compliance with EU competition law, and is a big vote of confidence for new nuclear and UK electricity market reforms.
The project will provide for 25,000 jobs during construction. UK companies could benefit from getting more than 50% of the work, and thousands of jobs are expected to go to local people.
Nuclear Institute President Tim Chittenden said: “The Nuclear Institute already has a strong relationship with EDF Energy, where a large number of our members work and where the NI already provides endorsement of the EDF Graduate Scheme against our requirements for Nuclear Professionalism enshrined in the Nuclear Delta. We look forward to continuing our relationship with EDF Energy, its investment partners and its supply chain in promoting the highest levels of nuclear professionalism in the next generation of our industry on the Hinkley Point C project”.
New nuclear power stations like Hinkley Point C will be vital in the next decade for Britain’s energy security and will also be key to cutting the carbon emissions from the UK’s electricity industry in the UK’s future low carbon energy mix.
Hinkley will generate a stable source of clean power to nearly 6 million homes once it is up and running.
Infographic - Hinkley Point C Number Power - from EDF Energy produced 18 October 2013