HPC project to help reach EU’s climate & energy objectives

FORATOM, the trade association representing the European nuclear industry, strongly welcomes the final investment decision taken yesterday by EDF for the construction of two EPR reactors at Hinkley Point C (HPC) in the south-west of England. This is a very important milestone for the future of nuclear energy in Europe.

The decision on HPC will enable the construction of the first nuclear power plant to have been built in the UK since Sizewell B was commissioned in 1995. The HPC project, which includes the construction of two EPR reactors using European technology, will create around 25,000 job opportunities during the construction phase and 900 full time jobs once operational. It will boost the UK’s GDP by over €6 billion per year and generate around €130 million per year for the local economy.

HPC will provide a major boost to European industry, benefitting nuclear supply chain companies in a number of EU Member States. The plant will generate reliable and competitively-priced electricity for around 6 million homes and help avoid around 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year during its 60 year operational lifetime. Such new nuclear investments will play an important role in helping to deliver the EU’s objective of decarbonising the electricity generating sector by 2050, while at the same time enhancing the security of electricity supply.

The 129 nuclear reactors currently operating in Europe generate 27 % of the EU’s total electricity and half of its low-carbon electricity.

For further information on yesterday’s announcement, please visit www.edfenergy.com.

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