Will they or won't they? New nuclear hangs in balance
EDF are preparing to build new nuclear reactors at Hinkley which could help growth and create 25,000 jobs, but the deal is in the balance.
Arrests after anti-nuclear protest at Hinkley Point
Four people have been arrested after protesters blockaded access to the nuclear site at Hinkley Point in Bridgwater this morning [Friday].
Frontline action at Hinkley Point
Anti-nuclear protesters are hoping to stage a mass trespass today at Hinkley Point near Bridgwater. Six people have been arrested.
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Greenpeace: Hinkley C approval 'could be illegal'
– John Sauven, Executive Director of GreenpeaceIt will lock a generation of consumers into higher energy bills, via a strike price that's expected to be double the current price of electricity, and it will distort energy policy by displacing newer, cleaner, cheaper technologies. With companies now saying the price of offshore wind will drop so much it will be on par with nuclear by 2020, there is no rationale for allowing Hinkley C to proceed. Giving it the green light when there is no credible plan for dealing with the waste could also be in breach of the law.
Unite union: nuclear is 'crucial' to energy policy
– Kevin Coyne, National Officer, UniteThe construction of Hinkley Point C will create thousands of skilled construction jobs for the next five years, and around 800 jobs in the operation of the power station over the next 60 years. We hope Hinkley Point C is just the first in a fleet of new nuclear power stations which would create jobs in construction for the next 20 years. Nuclear is a crucial part of a balanced energy policy, to stop lights going out."
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Govt expected to approve Hinkley nuclear plant today
The Government is expected to announce today (Tuesday 19 March) that it is giving the go-ahead to the first of a planned fleet of new nuclear reactors in the UK.
Energy Secretary Ed Davey will announce whether he is granting consent for French energy giant EDF to build a nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.
The plant's two nuclear reactors would be capable of producing 7% of the UK's electricity, enough to power five million homes, EDF said.
'No credible plan' for dealing with nuclear waste
Plans for a nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, will "lock a generation of consumers into higher energy bills", according to Greenpeace.
Executive director John Sauven said
It will distort energy policy by displacing newer, cleaner, cheaper technologies. With companies now saying the price of offshore wind will drop so much it will be on par with nuclear by 2020, there is no rationale for allowing Hinkley C to proceed. Giving it the green light when there is no credible plan for dealing with the waste could also be in breach of the law.
Unite union supports plans for power plant
Kevin Coyne, national officer of Unite union has backed plans for the first in a fleet of new nuclear power stations. He said:
The construction of Hinkley Point C will create thousands of skilled construction jobs for the next five years, and around 800 jobs in the operation of the power station over the next 60 years.
We hope Hinkley Point C is just the first in a fleet of new nuclear power stations which would create jobs in construction for the next 20 years. Nuclear is a crucial part of a balanced energy policy, to stop lights going out.
Hinkley Point announcement expected
Plans for a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset are expected to be approved by the Government this afternoon (19th March 2013).
More than 5,000 workers will be needed to build two new reactors at a cost of 14 billion pounds. The deal with the power company EDF still depends on agreement on the price for electricity.
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Will they or won't they? New nuclear hangs in balance
EDF are preparing to build new nuclear reactors at Hinkley which could help growth and create 25,000 jobs, but the deal is in the balance.
Read the full storyEDF threatens to pull plug on Hinkley
The company that wants to build two nuclear reactors in Somerset has gone public over its concerns that the government is offering an 8% return on their investment and won't guarantee them the 10% they're demanding.
EDF is warning it may pull out of the deal if an agreement isn't reached by the end of the month.
Our Somerset Correspondent, David Woodland, has been looking at the economic promise of Hinkley and what West Somerset stands to lose if the deal is scrapped:
Possible incentives to accept power plant plans
People living near the proposed Hinkley C nuclear power station in Somerset could be offered incentives to accept the plan.
The government is considering giving communities next to proposed power plants money off their energy bills. In an interview with today's Times newspaper, the energy secretary Ed Davey hinted it's proposals will soon be unveiled.
Third nuclear power station at Hinkley Point suffers setback
Plans for a third nuclear power station at Hinkley Point on the Somerset coast have suffered a setback with the withdrawal of a major investor. Centrica, owned by British Gas, says it's not taking up its 20 per cent stake in the project, because of the costs and time involved.
Hinkley's owners, EDF are now looking for another partner. A final decision about going ahead with Hinkley C is expected next month, when the government announces a minimum price for the energy produced.
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