What is Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and why is it controversial?

Theresa May has approved the controversial Hinkley Point C nuclear power station project following a new agreement with French energy giant EDF.

But what is Hinkley Point C – and why is it so divisive?

Hinkley Point C is a proposed nuclear power plant in Somerset – which will cost £18bn and is set to one day supply 7 per cent of the UK’s electricity. It’s set to be built next to existing Hinkley Point power station site.

It will feature two EPR Pressurised Water Reactors, and is hoped to be up and running by 2025. But the project has raised concerns as similar projects in Finland and France are both facing major delays in construction – and are way over budget.

Olkiluoto in Finland and France’s Flamanville are the first two EPR power stations – meaning the technology remains new and unproven – and the technical problems experienced in both countries have not gone unnoticed by Hinkley Point C’s critics.

There are also worries that the project’s funding is at risk. The construction will be paid for by EDF and Chinese state-backed CGN group, which will pay two thirds and one third respectively.

READ MORE

Hinkley Point C nuclear power station will finally go ahead after ‘new agreement’ with EDF, Government confirms

Theresa May will approve Hinkley Point nuclear power plant despite warnings it is a ‘terrible deal’ for customers

Theresa May slams brakes on plans for Hinkley Point C £18billion nuclear power plant

Theresa May orders security chiefs to probe China’s involvement in Hinkley Point nuclear power station deal

However, EDF’s market value has halved in the past two years, dropping to £18.7bn – not much more than the cost of Hinkley Point C.

On top of that, some think it’s risky to have the Chinese state indirectly involved in a crucial aspect of the UK’s infrastructure – our electricity.

Another issue is that in 2013, the Government agreed it would buy power from the plant for £92.50 per megawatt hour, rising in line with inflation, for 35 years once the plant is operational.

But now, the wholesale price of energy has plummeted to £45 per megawatt hour – making the Government’s deal pretty poor value. The National Audit Ofice has since estimated this could cost UK consumers up to £30bn – five times more than originally expected.

Instead, some believe resources should be spent pursuing other renewable power sources, such as wind and wave power – and others say the government should build power stations itself, rather than relying on foreign companies.