EDF new nuclear reactors helping to meet climate change targets

EDF Energy is helping to address climate change targets with two new reactors due to be delivered at its Hinkley Point C, the company has said in the wake of a new report from the Energy and Climate Change Committee.

The conclusion from the report was that the UK needs new power stations to help meet climate change targets in the most efficient manner possible.

EDF Energy's new reactors have a stable and accepted design that has detailed all known costs, with a great deal of recent progress coming in the last few months.

The site has been licensed by joint regulators, along with reactors designs being given approval, while a planning decision is due to be made by the Secretary of State by March 19th.

New nuclear sites are being made possible through the Contracts for Difference scheme, which is supported by the select committee and will help to bring about an agreed price for the electricity between the government and EDF Energy at Hinkley Point C. It will ensure that the deal is fair and balanced best to suit both consumers and investors in the UK.

"Agreeing this contract is the key to attracting investors and to unlock funding for this project which will give the UK the secure, low carbon energy it needs for the future," EDF Energy said.

"The government can act now to deliver new nuclear in time to avoid the need for a back-up plan."

It added that Contracts for Difference ensures transparency, which will reveal that new nuclear energy can be competitive alongside other forms of low carbon energy.

During the construction of Hinkley Point C, as many as 25,000 employees could be employed, while it will also have a persistent impact on UK industries.

The report also suggested that if the UK does not succeed in building the nuclear capacity required, there should be a fall-back plan. The biggest barriers to construction are the upfront costs, along with public discontent and bottlenecks in the nuclear supply chain.

Britain last constructed a new nuclear project almost two decades ago.