New delays and additional costs of at least 7 billion euros for the first EPR reactor at Hinckley Point – Liberation

Two years late. Or even four. EDF announced this Tuesday evening, January 23, that the commissioning of the first EPR nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point Sea Power Station, southwest of England, will be seriously delayed. Thus the project has been postponed for several years with delivery expected in 2029, or even 2030… or 2031 at best. The French electrician indicates that he has reviewed the expected duration of the electromechanical assembly work (cables and pipes) at that time. While this phase is just beginning. Scheduled for twenty-eight months, this phase would eventually take fifty-two, thus adding two years to the total duration of the project, at best.

Depending on various scenarios, the reactor could be commissioned either in 2029 or 2030 – whichever is most convenient. Also “Given the complexity of the project”, EDF has also planned “An Adverse View” WHO “Unit 1 may start generating electricity in 2031, i.e. an additional twelve months compared to the base case (commissioning in 2030)”, According to a press release.

Lack of specialized labor

This new postponement of the schedule is linked to a reassessment of the duration of the electromechanical assembly work, “compared to the estimated period (…) at the time of the investment decision Hinkley Point in 2016“, Period which was not “Never seen again» Since then for this phase, EDF explained to journalists.

Asked about the lack of specialized labor when European countries want to relaunch nuclear power, EDF suggests it has “That assumes we can find the qualifications we need”. “But if we can’t find enough people fast enough, that could cause a few additional minor delays.” The company accepted.

Taking into account this new time frame, the cost of the project is now “Valued in the range of 31 to 34 billion pounds in 2015 value” An energy company was announced. This represents an additional cost of 6 to 8 billion pounds (7 to 9.3 billion euros) compared to the last revision in 2022. EDF then revalued the project at 25–26 billion pounds in 2015, compared to an estimated 18 billion at the start of the project in 2016.

Costs are likely to increase further due to inflation. And due to the lack of participation by its Chinese partner and shareholder CGN in the additional costs, EDF must bear them alone. The Hinkley Point Sea site, largely backed by a French national group, is not in its first schedule slippage. First planned for late 2025, start-up of the first reactor was postponed until June 2027. Started in 2017, construction of two 3.2 gigawatt (GW) reactors, capable of supplying six million homes, is now in motion. 11,000 people today, according to EDF.