Hinkley Point C will not burden taxpayers with extra costs, minister insists

Taxpayers will not have to cover additional costs for the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant, a minister has told Commons.

French energy giant EDF is aiming for the plant, being built in Somerset, to become a major source of decarbonised electricity for the UK, providing around 7% of national consumption.

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire was reported to have said last week that it would be "fair" for Britain to share the burden of expected extra costs.

When the commercial agreement for the plant was reached in 2013, the costs were estimated at £14 billion, and it was expected to be operational by 2023.

The latest estimate from earlier this year said costs could reach £46 billion - £31 billion to £34 billion in 2015 prices - with the first reactor potentially ready in 2029.

Energy minister Andrew Bowie told the Commons on Thursday: "Hinkley Point C is not a Government project. And EDF is responsible for its delivery. Additional costs will not fall to the taxpayer, whatever you might be reading in the press."

He was speaking during a backbench debate in the Commons on the Government's civil nuclear road map.

Speaking for the SNP, Hannah Bardell told the House that Hinkley Point C is "not value for money" and that costs are "staggering".

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