Well, yesterday the government finally granted EDF a 'Development Consent Order' to build their monstrous construction at Hinkley Point; and EDF have said "maybe, if you pay us enough money." EDF's Press Statement on becoming the first contractor to be granted such an Order under the new strategic infrastructure planning regime basically contains nothing much more than a negotiating stance.
"This remarkable achievement [the DCO] now needs to be matched by the finalisation of a contract for the electricity to be produced at Hinkley Point C. Swift success in negotiations with Government over this Contract for Difference is the key to unlocking the investment needed ... Intensive discussions with the Government are taking place and agreement is still possible."
'Still possible' ... but hopefully not entirely likely. According to the Radio 4 news report on the "£14 billion project" (up a billion since November), EDF are trying to bounce the government into agreeing to their terms for electricity generation by the end of this month, which is when they have said they will make their own decision as to whether they want to go ahead with the project. Back in September, it was reported that EDF were after a price more than three times the current going rate for wholesale electricity. If they don't get it, they could pull out and leave the government in a very large state of embarrassment.
"This remarkable achievement [the DCO] now needs to be matched by the finalisation of a contract for the electricity to be produced at Hinkley Point C. Swift success in negotiations with Government over this Contract for Difference is the key to unlocking the investment needed ... Intensive discussions with the Government are taking place and agreement is still possible."
'Still possible' ... but hopefully not entirely likely. According to the Radio 4 news report on the "£14 billion project" (up a billion since November), EDF are trying to bounce the government into agreeing to their terms for electricity generation by the end of this month, which is when they have said they will make their own decision as to whether they want to go ahead with the project. Back in September, it was reported that EDF were after a price more than three times the current going rate for wholesale electricity. If they don't get it, they could pull out and leave the government in a very large state of embarrassment.
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