EDF Energy issues statement over Hinkley Point protests

1:30pm Friday 5th October 2012 in West Somerset

EDF Energy issues statement over Hinkley Point protests EDF Energy issues statement over Hinkley Point protests

OFFICIALS at Hinkley Point nuclear power statement have issued a statement ahead of planned protests tomorrow (Saturday) and Monday.

Anti-nuclear protestors are staging a rally in Bridgwater town centre on Saturday and will attempt to occupy part of the site on the Somerset coastline on Monday.

EDF Energy, which runs the existing Hinkley Point B and has applied to build a new nuclear power station at the site, said it is aware of the protests.

Nigel Cann, Hinkley Point C Construction Director, said: “We respect the rights of individuals to peaceful and lawful protest, however, we are also mindful of the pressure these events can place on the local community with whom we have strong links.

"Working alongside the relevant authorities, we have made efforts to minimise any potential impact on local residents while allowing the protesters who have travelled here today to have their say.

“We believe strongly that low-carbon nuclear has a vital role in maintaining UK electricity supplies in the future. As the Government has said, the UK continues to need new nuclear power.

We also greatly appreciate the support of the large majority of local residents who recognise the contribution we make to the area and the benefits that a new power station would bring to Somerset.

“Hinkley Point C is expected to generate a £100 million annual boost to the South West economy during construction and provide up to 25,000 jobs.

"EDF Energy has also committed £7.1 million to developing local skills and apprenticeships to help Somerset residents seize the employment opportunities that a project of this scale offers.”

Comments(8)

PCAH says...
11:07am Sat 6 Oct 12

Nuclear is not low carbon. Hinkley C would leave lethal spent fuel waste on site for at least 200 years. Construction jobs and investment in the Severn Barrage would be cheaper, more sustainable and provide electricity for at least 120 years, ie twice the productive lifetime of nuclear. EDF now want to extend the lifetime of the Hinkley B AGR reactors which are on the verge of core collapse due to age related graphite brick, fuel pin and boiler tube weld faults. They also discharge tons of carbon dioxide every day. EDF want to extend the AGRs lifetime to maximise their profits, regardless of the huge health risks to Somerset coastal communities who are currently reeling from all the decommissioning discharges.

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FreeSpeech? says...
12:34pm Sat 6 Oct 12

What's the betting the vast majority of the protesters are not from round here and like protesting about anything for a weekend out with their fellow whiners, probably also be the first to moan when their lights start to go out in a few years.
Lets whack two reactors up on the site now so we won't have to go through this again in a few years.

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wastedcash says...
7:36pm Sun 7 Oct 12

EDF are bribing the local community with their own money. EDF is a loss making business, that only survives by receiving support from Government. EDF cannot afford to build Hinckley C without massive subsidy from UK Taxpayers. Every penny they promise to spend in the local area, is really our own money. Anyone who thinks EDF and the money is good for the area are being suckered !!!

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FreeSpeech? says...
8:54pm Sun 7 Oct 12

wastedcash wrote:
EDF are bribing the local community with their own money. EDF is a loss making business, that only survives by receiving support from Government. EDF cannot afford to build Hinckley C without massive subsidy from UK Taxpayers. Every penny they promise to spend in the local area, is really our own money. Anyone who thinks EDF and the money is good for the area are being suckered !!!
Nothing to do with the money, this country needs to invest in electricity generating infrastructure quickly as coal and oil stations are being shut due to EU emission targets & nuclear power is the only sensible solution when its not windy or night-time. If you wish to be held to ransom by the Russians when they shut off the gas or the Arabs when the taps get shut off then that's up too you, I myself wish to be able to stick two fingers up and say get on with it mate we can produce our own electricity.
Bye the way gas is not the long term solution for electricity generation.

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Guy Smiley says...
12:43pm Mon 8 Oct 12

"They also discharge tons of carbon dioxide every day."

I'm no nuclear scientist but even I know the CO2 emitted from a nuclear process is CO2 taken from the atmosphere to begin with so makes no overall impact.

The only generation of CO2 is from the on-site back-up generators.

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wastedcash says...
6:37pm Mon 8 Oct 12

Nothing to do with the money ??? It has EVERYTHING to do with the money. Yes we need to invest in energy infrastructure, and yes we need to be as self sufficient in energy production as possible, but the idea that Hinckley C is a cash cow for the area is laughable. Nuclear Power is hugely costly, and only makes financial sense if the Government offers huge subsidies. I am all in favour of Nuclear Power, but people need to be told the truth about the money, not conned into believing that EDF is generously investing in our area when in reality they are spending our own money.

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Mi_Coc says...
10:42pm Mon 8 Oct 12

We need power from somewhere and know one wants a wind farm near them and hydro will not solve all the problems. So nuclear is then only option and as long as the spent rods are disposed of carefully what's the issue. No process is risk and 100% environmentally friendly.

You will never please all the employed protestors who are so well informed but can't earn a living for themselves.

Yes EDF do think of making profit unfortunately we can't all work for the public sector and spend money, someone somewhere has to have some to pay the bills.

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wastedcash says...
9:40am Thu 11 Oct 12

Oh Dear.
Guess you don't know that EDF (Electricity de France) is 70% owned by the French Government..... it is a public sector company, and the taxpayer will pay the bills. Nuclear Power is the only logical way forward, the cost per Kwh of nuclear power is lower in the long term than any other mainstream electricity, BUT the cost of building the power station is huge and cannot be undertaken without huge amounts of public cash and guarantees to EDF from the taxpayer.

We should not delude ourselves that EDF are being generous to the local community.

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