nuclear-news

The future of the planned new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point remains in doubt as key French unions still oppose the project, BBC Newsnight has learned.

EDF, which would build the plant, had delayed a decision on the project in Somerset until the summer while it consulted French union representatives.

The company, which is 85% French state-owned, had hoped to win support from a committee of workplace representatives.

But the committee said staff had not been reassured about the plant’s costs.

Trade union representatives hold six of the 18 seats on EDF’s board.

‘Several reservations’

Jean-Luc Magnaval, secretary of the Central Works Committee that EDF consulted with, told Newsnight that staff feared the cost of the project would cripple EDF.

He said: “We have reservations about several aspects of the project: organisation, supply chain, installation, and procurement.

“The trade unions are unlikely to give their blessing to the project in its current state.

“We are not reassured by the documents we have received. We have been given a marketing folder, not the full information we require.

“We got the documents on 9 May – we are sending EDF a request for more explanations.”…….

EDF chief executive Vincent de Rivaz also told MPs on the committee that he did not know when a final decision on the project would be made…….

While one third of the £18bn capital costs of the project are being met by Chinese investors, Hinkley Point would remain an enormous undertaking for the stressed French company……..http://www.bbc.com/news/business-36394601