Nuclear Madness
#152
Re: Nuclear Madness
Britain’s first new nuclear power station for a generation is in fresh doubt after the government delayed making a final decision on the £18bn Hinkley Point C, despite EDF’s directors voting to start work on the project.
The government said ministers would now conduct another review of the controversial project and make an announcement in the early autumn about whether to give it the green light.
The announcement surprised EDF, the French energy company leading Hinkley Point C. EDF was preparing to sign contracts with the government on Friday but has now cancelled press interviews that it was planning to hold with Vincent de Rivaz, the boss of its UK arm.
https://www.theguardian.com/business...proves-project
The government said ministers would now conduct another review of the controversial project and make an announcement in the early autumn about whether to give it the green light.
The announcement surprised EDF, the French energy company leading Hinkley Point C. EDF was preparing to sign contracts with the government on Friday but has now cancelled press interviews that it was planning to hold with Vincent de Rivaz, the boss of its UK arm.
https://www.theguardian.com/business...proves-project
#153
Re: Nuclear Madness
looking at the huge delays and spiraling costs of the existing EPR's in France and Finland, cancellation will be the best thing for all.
#154
Hit 16's
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: Nuclear Madness
Energy Efficiency
Since Hinkley C was approved in 2010, UK electricity demand has fallen by more than the plant will produce. According to a McKinsey report for the UK government, by 2030 (when Hinkley is likely to go into commercial operation), 6 times Hinkley's output could be cut from UK demand.
Wind Turbines
Since 2010 wind power generation equivalent to Hinkley's output has been added to the national grid. Onshore wind power cost has dropped 20% in the last 5 years; offshore wind power costs is falling and is likely to fall below the "strike price" for Hinkley well before 2030.
Solar Power
Solar electricity cost has fallen by 50% in the last five years, and is now cheaper than Hinkley. Solar panels equivalent to 1/3 of Hinkley's output have been added since 2010, 50% of those in just 18 months.
Interconnections
1/3 of Hinkley's output has been added to the UK grid since 2010 by new cables to other European countries, where electricity is currently cheaper. Power equivalent to another 2 to 3 Hinkleys could be available by 2025.
Storage and Flexibility
Power equivalent to 4 Hinkleys could be saved by electricity storage, saving huge costs to boot.
#155
Hit 16's
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: Nuclear Madness
In the eight years since Hinkley negotiations started, renewables have been transformed. Offshore wind, once ruinously expensive, is now around 20% cheaper than nuclear power in Denmark; solar is so cheap it can be sold in supermarkets; tidal power is limitless and emerging; and energy saving, the Cinderella of the energy world, has proved itself the cheapest way to cut energy costs. All could flourish once the yoke of the giant Hinkley project is lifted.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...r-than-rethink
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...r-than-rethink
#156
Re: Nuclear Madness
If commissioned the UK would lock itself into a trajectory of expensive energy and an ongoing, long term reliance on European technical partners.
However the UK does need new energy infrastructure and eventually they will run out of time and have to commit even if the course isn't the right one for the UK.
However the UK does need new energy infrastructure and eventually they will run out of time and have to commit even if the course isn't the right one for the UK.
#157
Re: Nuclear Madness
If commissioned the UK would lock itself into a trajectory of expensive energy and an ongoing, long term reliance on European technical partners.
However the UK does need new energy infrastructure and eventually they will run out of time and have to commit even if the course isn't the right one for the UK.
However the UK does need new energy infrastructure and eventually they will run out of time and have to commit even if the course isn't the right one for the UK.
#158
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,520
Re: Nuclear Madness
So Mrs May is basically telling the Chinese to get the ***** off our national infrastructure by practically cancelling the project?
Who can really argue with this? Never trust the Chinese. Devious bastards. The ordinary people? They're fine. The normal companies doing normal trade? They're fine. State owned companies working on critical infrastructure schemes?
Who can really argue with this? Never trust the Chinese. Devious bastards. The ordinary people? They're fine. The normal companies doing normal trade? They're fine. State owned companies working on critical infrastructure schemes?
#159
Re: Nuclear Madness
So Mrs May is basically telling the Chinese to get the ***** off our national infrastructure by practically cancelling the project?
Who can really argue with this? Never trust the Chinese. Devious bastards. The ordinary people? They're fine. The normal companies doing normal trade? They're fine. State owned companies working on critical infrastructure schemes?
Who can really argue with this? Never trust the Chinese. Devious bastards. The ordinary people? They're fine. The normal companies doing normal trade? They're fine. State owned companies working on critical infrastructure schemes?
#161
Banned
Joined: Oct 2015
Location: Luton
Posts: 1,162
Re: Nuclear Madness
But most likely Built by Polish and run by Polish!
#164
Re: Nuclear Madness
I think the Ukrainians still hold the record for people who shouldn't be running nuclear reactors.