Hinkley Point Nuclear Plant 'Not Essential' For UK Energy

A new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point is not needed for the UK to meet its energy and climate change targets, a report claims.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) argues that more wind farms and gas-fired power stations would be enough to keep the lights on, while also saving £1bn a year.

The new power infrastructure would also have to be combined with measures to manage energy demand, but the ECIU says its research shows Hinkley Point C is "not essential".

Hinkley's future was thrown into doubt last month after Prime Minister Theresa May unexpectedly delayed approving the project, prompting China to urge a decision "as soon as possible".

Hinkley Point C would involve French energy firm EDF building two new reactors at the existing Hinkley site, with the plan part-financed by China General Nuclear Power.

But concerns have been raised by intelligence agencies that allowing China to invest in the UK's nuclear energy market could be a danger to national security.

ECIU director Richard Black said his organisation's report showed there were other alternatives to avoid an energy black hole in Britain.

"Despite years of debate on Hinkley, we're still not sure whether or not it's going to get built - the Prime Minister is due to make a decision next month, but even if she says yes there are many other issues that could derail the project, including legal cases and EDF's financial woes," he said.

"So we wanted to know how essential Hinkley is for the 'energy trilemma' - keeping the lights on whilst cutting greenhouse gas emissions and keeping costs down.

"Our conclusion is that it's not essential; using tried and tested technologies, with nothing unproven or futuristic, Britain can meet all its targets and do so at lower cost."

The ECIU proposal would involve building four extra wind farms on top of those already scheduled for construction, combined with measures encouraging the population to use electricity more efficiently and productively.

The report claims this approach could save up to £20 per year on average household energy bills.

But EDF Energy dismissed the suggestion, saying that the alternatives presented by the report are "not credible".

"HPC's cost is competitive with other large-scale low carbon technologies," the company said in a statement.

"It will generate electricity steadily even on foggy and still winter days across Northern Europe.

"It will play a crucial role as part of a future, flexible energy system."