UK Government's Hinkley Point nuclear plans have 'descended into farce', says SNP

Plans for a new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point have “descended into farce”, the SNP has claimed, amid reports EDF has delayed its decision on whether to proceed with the project due to funding problems.

While EDF refused to comment, French news reports suggest the firm was struggling to generate funding to supply its 66.5 per cent stake in the project, leading it to lobby the French government for additional capital.

Although EDF chief executive Jean-Bernard Levy last week claimed the two new reactors would be built soon, the SNP has now called on the UK Government to rethink its plans.

John Sauven, Greenpeace executive director, said suggestions of a delay show the EDF board is “clearly rattled”.

He said: “It could well signal curtains for Hinkley. EDF managers as well as employee representatives on the board are deeply concerned this project is too risky and too expensive.

“George Osborne is almost alone in defending Hinkley’s honour. But he is pushing the project forward regardless of the eye watering expense for consumers and regardless of the fact that this reactor design, despite three attempts in Europe and China, doesn’t work.”

SNP MSP Chic Brodie said: “The UK Government’s plans for a new nuclear power station have been a billion-pound white elephant from the start but these latest revelations show that they have descended into farce.

“Despite nuclear energy being less efficient and more costly than wind power, the UK Government continues to pursue this folly while slashing support for onshore wind. 

“The decision to cut support for onshore wind could cost £3 billion in new investment and put more than 5,000 jobs at risk in Scotland.

“The Tory government’s ideological obsession with nuclear will be costly for taxpayers and businesses in Scotland – it’s about time they saw sense and rethink their energy policy which is not delivering for consumers or energy security.”