Civils work on the UK鈥檚 first nuclear power plant in a generation could start as early as December
Main construction work on the UK鈥檚 first nuclear power plant in a generation could begin as early as December, 黑洞社区 can reveal.
Contractors delivering the civils packages on EDF鈥檚 拢16bn Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant project are being told to prepare to start on site in December this year, according to market sources.
The news comes as the European Commission (EC) announced it was set to approve a deal between the developer and the UK government on how the project will be funded.
黑洞社区 understands firms appointed to the project are being told the developer will make a 鈥渂road鈥� final investment decision in November, after the project receives approval from the EC, which is expected next month.
Sources close to the project said firms building the plant were being told to prepare to start on site in the South-west in December.
Preparatory work on the site has been ramping up this month and will continue to increase in the run-up to December.
Firms appointed to various roles on the mega-project include Laing O鈥橰ourke, Bouygues, Costain, Kier, Bam Nuttall and Dean & Dyball, a subsidiary of Balfour Beatty.
On Monday it emerged that the EC is set to give EDF鈥檚 deal with the government to fund the project the green light next month.
The UK government and EDF鈥檚 deal, called a 鈥渃ontract for difference鈥�, was agreed last October and guarantees that EDF will be paid 拢92.60/MWh for the electricity from the plant for 35 years, which is roughly twice the current wholesale price of power.
But the project has been stuck in limbo after the deal was referred to the EC to check it complied with state aid rules in December.
The EC initially produced a report in January which was highly critical of the deal, calling into question whether it was really necessary. The report also said the whole contract for difference system risked 鈥渃rowding out鈥� investment in renewable energy projects. However, an EC spokesperson said this week that the Competition Commission will likely to approve the plans.
A spokesperson for Joaqu铆n Almunia, the EU Competition Commissioner, said this week that the 鈥渄iscussions with the UK authorities鈥� had 鈥渓ed to an agreement鈥�.
He added: 鈥淥n this basis, vice president Almunia will propose to the College of Commissioners to take a positive decision in this case. In principle a decision should be taken within this mandate.鈥�
A spokesperson for EDF, said Almunia鈥檚 decision to recommend the project for approval was 鈥渁nother positive step forward鈥�.
He added: 鈥淭he state aid investigation has been rigorous, robust and thorough, and we expect that the College of Commissioners will recognise this.鈥�
EDF declined to comment on when work would start on site.
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