EDF's Flamanville nuclear power plant in France, which is due to be commissioned in 2022 at a cost of €12.4bn — 15 years after construction began and €9.1bn over the initial budget. Photo: AFP/Getty

Here's the truth about EDF's pro-nuclear stance — it's not about the climate

The French utility is pushing to build more nuclear plants in the UK, but its arguments don't add up. There's another reason behind its pro-atomic push, writes Laurent Segalen

25 June 2020 15:59 GMT Updated 25 June 2020 15:59 GMT

By Laurent Segalen

A recent self-congratulatory PR campaign by France’s EDF to hail the completion of Hinkley Point C’s foundations (five years behind schedule) while submitting plans to build another UK nuclear plant, Sizewell C — coupled with a 30 May Financial Times article entitled “Britain needs new nuclear, and the government should fund it” — really angered me.

It is time to call in the Resistance, and point out the absurdity of these positions.

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1) New nuclear is in desperate need of public money, because no private market wants to touch it

No sensible private finance wants to invest in nuclear due to the industry’s long established disdain for any form of capital discipline.

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Here's the truth about EDF's pro-nuclear stance — it's not about the climate