Imperial experts weigh in with comments on Hinkley decision

Hinkley Point C (image: EDF)

Imperial experts have joined in the public debate again about Hinkley nuclear power plant, following its approval by the UK Government.

The government has approved the construction of a new £18 billion nuclear power station in Somerset, England. In early August 2016, the Prime Minister Theresa May halted the project so that the new government could reassess various aspects including construction costs, safety and security concerns, and issues to do with public infrastructure being foreign owned.

Although the new plant is being financed by the French and Chinese governments, the UK government says it will have control of foreign investment in this critical piece of infrastructure. It will also impose new conditions such as further safeguards to protect national security.

The Prime Minister’s decision to hit the pause button previously caused fierce public debate and Imperial researchers joined in to express their points of view. Now that the government has given the green light to the project, Imperial academics have offered their expert opinion on the issue (below), touching on the implications that this decision will have on the UK now, and well into the future.

Dr Michael Bluck, Director of the Centre for Nuclear Engineering

“It is good to see that the UK is moving ahead with this project. Nuclear energy remains a necessary component in the energy mix if we are to meet our ambitions in terms of carbon reduction and security of supply.

“There have been understandable concerns in regard to the viability, cost and security of the new reactor. In regard to its viability, it is true that there have been issues surrounding the feasibility of the technology, which hasn’t been tested. However, I think these concerns will be allayed if the project is properly managed and runs to schedule. Similar reactors are due to be commissioned in China in 2017 and Finland in 2018. We can learn from these projects so that we can ensure that the Hinkley project runs more smoothly.

“In relation to cost, this is a 60-year project, and to base a decision on current economics is flawed. Yes, it can appear expensive in the current climate,but few would claim that the current market price, controlled principally by the cost of fossil fuel, is representative of the true costs of clean energy looking ahead.

“In regard to security, the involvement of other countries inevitably makes things more complicated. However, the government has looked again at this issue and appears to have sought additional guarantees from EDF, which will also apply to future nuclear energy projects. In addition, there is some indication that ownership and control of such critical infrastructure will be subject to some safeguarding, but it remains to be seen what the precise nature of this protection will be.”

Dr Ben Britton, Department of Materials

"This agreement is an excellent leap forward for the UK's low-carbon energy future. This is fantastic news for UK research and development and it will reinvigorate the UK energy landscape for generations to come. Attracting external investment for large infrastructure projects will also enable us to draw on the expertise of our partners so that we can enforce best practice procedures on this project. In turn, this will enable us create jobs and skills in the nuclear sector and make our presence in this field felt internationally." 

Professor Richard Green, Imperial College Business School

“Two similar reactors being built in Finland and in France are badly behind schedule and over budget, and this is being reflected in the costliness of the Hinkley Point C project. Until these two projects are completed, financiers will view Hinkley as a high-risk project.  The European Commission was able to negotiate a discount for electricity consumers if the cost is less than currently expected, which is good news.  However, it is disappointing to see that the UK government could not find a way to trade off the high cost of building Hinkley against lower energy prices for consumers later on after those initial building costs have been recouped by EDF.”

Professor Joanna Haigh, Co-Director, Grantham Institute for Climate Change & Environment

“When the review of Hinkley was announced, I was hopeful that this would open a window for consideration of other, lower cost alternatives. I hope that the government’s decision leaves the door open for further investment in renewables, which are set to continue to reduce significantly in costs in the coming years.”

Dr Mark Wenman, Department of Materials

“The timing and execution of this project are critical. The UK now needs to prove it can deliver it on time so that it provides the low-carbon electricity we need.  The government’s review of the project was sensible and it is good to see that the UK will maintain both oversight and control of a crucial part of the UK's energy infrastructure for this and any future projects.”

Dr Simon Walker, Department of Mechanical Engineering

“It is good that the government recognises that new nuclear generating capacity is an important part of the electricity generation mix for economic and sustainable low-carbon electricity production. A successful build of the Hinkley C project will make a very great contribution to this."

Professor Tim Green, Director, Energy Futures Lab

"I welcome the government’s decision and an element of uncertainty in energy policy being resolved. I also see the opportunity for the creation of training places in the nuclear industry at all levels and opportunities for UK universities to use their expertise to support the completion of this complex engineering project."