20.03.13
Hinkley Point plant plans approved
The first of a wave of new nuclear plants has been approved, energy secretary Ed Davey has announced. Hinkley Point C, in Somerset, is being granted planning consent.
The proposed £14bn plant, to be constructed by EDF, will be capable of powering five million homes and is estimated to create between 20,000 and 25,000 jobs during construction. 900 permanent jobs will be available once the plant is in operation.
Davey told the Commons: “The planning decision to give consent to Hinkley Point follows a rigorous examination from the Planning Inspectorate, and detailed analysis within my department.
“This planned project adds to a number of new energy projects consented since May 2010, including wind farms and biomass and gas-fired power stations.
“It will benefit the local economy, through direct employment, the supply chain and the use of local services.”
Shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint said: “Today's announcement is an important milestone in the development of new nuclear build in the UK.
“I am pleased to welcome it and reiterate our support for nuclear power alongside an expansion of renewable energy and investment in carbon capture and storage as part of a clean, secure and affordable energy supply for the future.”
But environmental groups have reacted angrily, with concerns over the potentially high price for electricity the Government will agree to in order to see the plant built.
Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said: “It will lock a generation of consumers into higher energy bills, via a strike price that's expected to be double the current price of electricity, and it will distort energy policy by displacing newer, cleaner, cheaper technologies.
“With companies now saying the price of offshore wind will drop so much it will be on par with nuclear by 2020, there is no rationale for allowing Hinkley C to proceed.”
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