EDF has warned that Brexit could cause delays or cost overruns to
the £18 billion nuclear white elephant at Hinkley Point – while
the nuclear industry body has warned that future investments
might not happen at all.
The energy firm has warned that any restrictions to trade or
movement of labour could increase the costs of new infrastructure
developments, referencing the need to import “critical goods and
services in the nuclear supply chain and specialist nuclear
skills”.
The Nuclear Industry Association has warned that Brexit could
jeapordise other planned investments in nuclear, citing the need
for “confidence that there will be continued access to skills,
both specialist nuclear skills from European/International
companies and construction labour and the easy supply of goods
and services across EU borders”.
Commenting, SNP MSP said:
“This is hugely embarrassing for the UK government. The Tories
have been determined to put all their eggs in the nuclear basket,
and are now finding that the already astronomical cost of Hinkley
Point could soar further – and that other investments in nuclear
might not happen at all.
“The Tories have slashed support for renewables to the bone – and
now their obsession with a hard Brexit is undermining the
investment in nuclear they were single-mindedly pursuing in an
attempt to keep the lights on. Their energy policy is a complete
mess.
“The cost of Hinkley Point is already an unjustifiable
extravagance. It would be scandalous for taxpayers to face an
even higher bill because of a Tory hard Brexit.”
