On Thursday the EDF board met to confirm the final investment package for the new nuclear build at Hinkley C. This decision has been anticipated and the next and final stage is for the Government to approve the deal formally. After the decision by the EDF Board the Government announced that it will now take time to consider all of the component parts of the project and make a decision in the early autumn, instead of immediately as was originally anticipated.
David Morris MP said:
'Whilst I understand the new Government team will want to review the deal it has already been subject to large amounts of scrutiny by the last Conservative Team. We need new nuclear builds in this Country to plug the energy gap which will be created in 2030 if we are not able to replace stations which will be decommissioned.
The U.K. needs to give a strong signal to investors that we are committed to these projects and I have written to Greg Clark MP urging him to make a decision on this deal as soon as possible.
Even though this new build is in Hinkley it's progress will have an impact here in Morecambe and Lunesdale. I want to see plans forthcoming for the new nuclear power station in Heysham and any delay on the Hinkley project will inevitably delay projects in the rest of the industry by a couple of months.
I hope the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State are able to assess the deal quickly and efficiently and give the project the green light as soon as possible.'