EDF tells suppliers to gear up ahead of final investment decision
Construction suppliers on the mammoth 拢18bn Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset have been instructed to restart 鈥渦nconstrained spending鈥� on the scheme by French client EDF ahead of an imminent final investment decision, according to a source close to the project.
The news came as suppliers waited with bated breath for EDF鈥檚 long-awaited final investment decision on the project. Reports had suggested the decision could come at an EDF board meeting later today (27 January), but a report in French newspaper Les Echos this morning reveals the decision could be once again delayed due to 鈥渇unding difficulties鈥� and may not be announced until EDF鈥檚 financial results on 16 February at the earliest.
Despite the delays the source said suppliers - which include heavyweight contractors Kier, Laing O鈥橰ourke and Bouygues - will already be 鈥済earing up鈥� to deliver the work following the instruction from EDF.
The source added: 鈥淭he indications [EDF is] giving suggest they just want to get on with the project. They haven鈥檛 secured any additional funding. They鈥檙e telling people to get on with it now and hoping they can fix the balance sheet later.鈥�
EDF declined to comment.
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