The Hinkley Point C nuclear plant, the only one currently under construction in Britain, is facing increasing worries about further delays and cost overruns.

During Keir Starmer‘s recent visit, the opposition leader accused the government of hindering progress on the project.

Initially expected to be operational in 2023, the Hinkley Point C reactor is now projected to start producing power in June 2027, highlighting significant setbacks.

Keir Starmer expressed frustration, stating that the government is “holding the country back”, emphasising that the project should have been completed by now.

Dr Doug Parr, the Policy Director at Greenpeace UK, raised concerns about the project’s escalating costs and construction delays.

He questioned the government’s decision to rely on the French state and use public money for building reactors, criticising the “over-priced” technology.

Dr Parr warned of a potential repeat of these issues at the Sizewell nuclear project, where taxpayers could once again bear the financial burden.

EDF and Hinkley Point C spokespersons declined to comment.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson told ELN: “The government has kickstarted a revival of our nuclear power industry and aim to get a quarter of all our electricity from nuclear by 2050.

“We have established Great British Nuclear to oversee this rapid expansion and made a historic £700 million investment to help develop Sizewell C and become a project shareholder.

“We are working with EDF to bring Hinkley Point C to completion, the largest nuclear power station in the UK. All additional costs are the responsibility of EDF and its partners – they will not fall on taxpayers or consumers.”

Article source: https://www.energylivenews.com/2023/06/06/concerns-mount-over-delays-and-rising-costs-at-hinkley-point-c/