GMB, the union for energy and engineering construction workers, commented on the announcement by EDF of new and extended scheduled closing dates for four nuclear power stations and another delay in announcing the final investment decision for Hinkley Point C. See notes to editors for copy of EDF press release dated 16th February 2016.
Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary, said "It was the UK government owned Central Electricity Generating Board that built the UK nuclear power stations still running that EDF are extending closing dates of.
GMB welcome this extension to provide more reliable base load electricity capacity while Hinkley Point C is brought on stream.
It is inconceivable that the Hinkley Point C site should become the most expensive landscaped gardens in the UK if work is stopped and the project does not go ahead.
If the plan to finance the building of this station by the French and Chinese governments is no longer viable then the UK government has total responsibility to the people of this country to build the power stations needed to supply our electricity needs.
The supply chain is in place and the labour force is coming on stream to construct this station essential to keep the lights on in the UK.
The UK government can not outsource the building of our power stations to foreign governments.
It was UK engineers and workers that built the first generation of nuclear power stations and they can build the new generation needed for low carbon reliable base load electricity."
Gary Smith, Secretary GMB Scotland, added "The extension for Torness to 2030 demonstrates that Scotland is and will remain dependent on nuclear power for base load electricity.
We have a good low carbon mix in Scotland but renewables are intermittent and we need nuclear as part of the mix.
Since the start of winter 2015/16 - since the beginning of October to end Jan 2016 - there has been 14 days when the output of the installed and connected wind turbines in the UK have produced 10% or less of the installed and connected capacity of 8,900MW. These were on 2nd , 3rd, 4th, 8th , 9th, 10th, 18th,19th October, 2nd , 3rd 4th November, 13th December and two days in January (19/20th ).
The truth is we are not going to be able to keep extending the life of these stations and Scotland will be in the midst of an energy crunch. With Longannet coming off we will need new generating capacity.
There is a strong case for new nuclear build in Scotland. We need to start the debate about new nuclear now and crucially how it is going to be funded. There is a growing case for the state to borrow the money to build the new nuclear we need.
The Scottish Government needs to be honest with the Scottish people and we need to take the debate forward on Scottish new nuclear as part of a low carbon electricity future with renewables."