LONDON - French Economy Minister Emmanuel
Macron repeated his government's commitment Sunday to plans by
state-owned company EDF to build a controversial next-generation nuclear
plant in Britain, saying the deal was being finalised.
French Economy minister Emmanuel Macron speaks at a Future of Europe Summit in London on April 14, 2016
Questions have been raised about the financial viability of
the pound sterling18-billion (23.2-billion-euro, $25.5 billion) Hinkley
Point project, which will use largely untested technology.
EDF, which is 84-percent owned by the French government, is
already struggling with a debt pile of more than 37 billion euros and
trade unions have called for the project to be delayed.
In an interview with BBC television, Macron confirmed the
government's commitment to the project, financed in part by China
General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN).
"We back Hinkley Point project, it's very important for
France, it's very important for the nuclear sector and EDF," Macron said
in English.
"Now we have to finalise the work, and especially the technical and
industrial work, very closely with EDF, with the British government, to
be in a situation to sign in the coming weeks or month."
He had previously said that EDF would take a final decision at the beginning of May.
This week, he told French trade unions that no decision had
yet been taken because of concerns within the energy company about the
risks involved.
Hinkley Point will be one of the world's most expensive
nuclear power plants and will produce seven percent of Britain's energy
needs by 2025.
Doubts over the project are linked to the Evolutionary Power
Reactor (EPR) technology that will be used. There are no working
versions, and other EPR plants under construction are running behind
schedule and over budget.
Asked if the project would come to fruition, Macron said:
"That's my view and that's our perspective because I think it's very
important for our commitment to nuclear energy."
Post a Comment