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Live reaction: Hinkley nuclear power plant approved by government

The Hinkley C nuclear power station will go ahead following a "new agreement" with EDF, the Government has confirmed.

Here are the major developments:

  • The Government announced the new deal on Thursday morning
  • Energy Minister Greg Clark described it as a "major step forward" and an £18 billion investment in the economy creating 26,000 jobs
  • Chinese company CGN, which is investing in the deal, said it was "very happy" and that it was now "able to move forward and deliver" nuclear capacity at Sizewell and Bradwell
  • Unions and the French government have welcomed the deal
  • But Greenpeace has slammed the decision
  • Labour said the plant was 'vital' for the economy but criticised the Government's negotiations
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'Hinkley deal saved PM political embarrassment'

Greenpeace's John Sauven says that the Hinkley deal was made to save the PM political embarrassment. Credit: Reuters

Greenpeace has slammed the government's go ahead of Hinkley Point claiming it saved the PM "political embarrassment".

Greenpeace's executive director, John Sauven, said there are "huge outstanding, financial, legal and technical obstacles that can't be brushed under the carpet."

He said the new conditions on the deal "changes almost nothing" and he warned that there might be months or even years of wrangling over issues.

Today's decision hasn't been made on the cold, hard facts that show Hinkley will not deliver competitively priced, low carbon energy any time soon. Instead it seems that Hinkley became too big to fail. The potential for political embarrassment for the new Prime Minister was too high.

– Executive Director for Greenpeace, John Sauven

He added that the government should support renewable power that to provide energy at a competitive price.

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Live reaction: Hinkley nuclear power plant approved by government

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