EDF aims to produce the first power from a new nuclear plant in Suffolk by 2031, the company’s departing UK chief executive has said. Vincent de Rivaz forecast that by 2033 the Sizewell C plant, a sister project to Hinkley Point C in Somerset, “will have been in operation for a couple of years”. Hinkley Point C, Britain’s first new nuclear plant in a generation, is due to start producing electricity by the end of 2025, although EDF has warned that the £20 billion project could be delayed until early 2027. When in 2008 EDF first started planning a series of new nuclear reactors, it was aiming for Hinkley Point to produce its first power by 2017 and Sizewell by 2021. In recent years the company has refused to disclose a target date for Sizewell, having been scarred by the experience of repeatedly having to delay its ta rget for Hinkley Point. However, in a leaving speech, Mr de Rivaz, who steps down this week, set out his “thoughts, hopes and expectations” for EDF Energy 16 years from now. EDF has carried out two stages of public consultation in Suffolk over the Sizewell project. A spokesman said that it would look at the feedback it had received and would revise plans for further public consultation before submitting a planning application.
Times 30th Oct 2017 read more »
