Hinkley Point will 'categorically' go ahead, says EDF

EDF Energy told Westminster on Wednesday that the beleaguered Hinkley Point C nuclear power project will definitely go ahead.

The £18bn project was initially announced in October 2013, though the go-ahead call was not made for two years as the majority-state owned French utility struggled to find partners.

China General Nuclear Power Group signed on as a one-third partner in October, leaving EDF - which had been faltering financially as it dealt with an ageing nuclear estate in France - to cover the balance.

“Clearly and categorically, Hinkley Point C will go ahead,” said EDF Energy CEO Vincent de Ravaz in front of parliament’s energy and climate change committee during the morning.

The project had been criticised by many in the City for not making financial sense, and the Confédération générale du travail in France had urged EDF to pull the pin on the project, fearing the company’s future ability to employ its members.

Earlier in March, the utility’s chief financial officer Thomas Piquemal resigned over the project. On Tuesday evening EDF promised a final decision on the project would be delivered in May.