MPs on the Energy Committee at the House of Commons have re-called senior representatives from EDF back to parliament to explain the further delay in making a final investment decision on building a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C.
EDF last week delayed making a final decision on the £18 billion project until after its May 12 shareholder meeting to give it time to hold a non-binding consltation its works council.
SNP MP Angus MacNeil, Chairman of the Energy Committee, explained: “When EDF appeared before us in March, company bosses were insisting that a decision would be made in May. At that hearing we said that we would call them back in if that timetable slipped again and that’s what we are doing now.
“If Hinkley does not go ahead it could have huge implications for our future energy security and efforts to cut climate-changing emissions. We will therefore be watching progress on this closely. If we have to see EDF back here in September as well, we will.”
EDF Energy declined to comment today.
On 23 March, EDF Energy Chief Executive, Vincent De Rivaz, told the committee that the final investment decision would be taken “very soon” and confirmed that the French Minister of Economy had suggested it would be “early May”.
Dates and times for the hearing will be confirmed in due course, but it is expected to take place in late May.
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