Prime Minister David Cameron visited Hinkley Point near Burnham-On-Sea to see the site for himself on Monday (October 21st), marking the landmark announcement that Hinkley Point C was being given the go-ahead by the government.
The PM met with EDF bosses and local politicians during his flying visit to the site, including MP Iain Liddell-Granger and Sedgemoor District Council’s Leader Duncan McGinty.
The Prime Minister said during his visit: “Earlier this month I spoke about our new industrial policy that looks to the future, and about our determination to embrace new technologies and back new industries and energy sources so that they can flourish and help us build a rebalanced economy.”
“As part of our plan to help Britain succeed, after months of negotiation, today we have a deal for the first nuclear power station in a generation to be built in Britain.”
“This deal means £16bn of investment coming into the country and the creation of 25,000 jobs, which is brilliant news for the South West and for the country as a whole. As we compete in the tough global race, this underlines the confidence there is in Britain and makes clear that we are very much open for business.”
“This also marks the next generation of nuclear power in Britain, which has an important part to play in contributing to our future energy needs and our longer term security of supply.”
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey, who was also at Hinkley Point for the annoucement, added: “This is an excellent deal for Britain and British consumers. For the first time, a nuclear power station in this country will be built without money from the British taxpayer. It will increase energy security and resilience from a safe, reliable, home-grown source of electricity.”
“This deal is competitive with other large-scale clean energy and with gas – and while consumers won’t pay anything up front, they’ll share directly in any gains made from the project coming in under budget and from refinancing or equity sales in particular circumstances. We are creating one of the most attractive electricity investment markets in the world – and this is a clear sign that investors are already responding, even before our electricity market reforms become law.”
Pictured: Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change; Nigel Cann, Hinkley Point C Construction Director, Iain Liddell-Granger MP, Prime Minister David Cameron, Henri Proglio, Chairman and CEO of EDF Group and Vincent de Rivaz, CEO of EDF Energy
