The British Government gave the green light to the controversial Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant on Thursday after agreeing on measures to “enhance security” in the project that was built by France and invested in by China.
The government said it approved the project following a comprehensive review, a revised agreement with French energy giant, EDF.
Greg Clark, the government’s business secretary, said in a statement that the imposition of new legal restrictions on future foreign investment in nuclear energy facilities and other critical infrastructure had changed.
“Having thoroughly reviewed the proposal for Hinkley Point C, we will introduce a series of measures to enhance security and will ensure Hinkley cannot change hands without the government’s agreement.
“Britain needs to upgrade its supplies of energy, and we have always been clear that nuclear is an important part of ensuring our future low-carbon energy security,’’ Clark said.
He noted that Prime Minister Theresa May’s delay in approving the project was believed to be linked to concerns over a one-third stake by the state-owned China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN).
He disclosed that the project was estimated to cost about 18 billion pounds (about 14 billion dollars).
“Under a deal signed with China in October, the Hinkley Point C project is linked to Chinese investment in a second nuclear project and to CGN is building a third plant in Britain.
“Hinkley Point will provide seven per cent of Britain’s electricity needs for 60 years and create some 26,000 jobs,’’ the government said. (dpa/NAN)