Power stations boss quits over £18bn plan
Thomas Piquemal, a major critic of the expensive Hinkley Point scheme, stepped down as EDF Energy shares dropped by 8.2% on Monday.
The company, largely owned by the French government, is expected to finalise a finance plan for the new power station in April after postponing the decision a number of times.
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Hide AdHinkley Point is backed by both David Cameron and the French President, Francois Hollande.
The station, which was originally due to open in 2017, is expected to provide 7% of the UK’s electricity.
Last October, EDF agreed a deal with China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) who will pay a third of the cost in exchange for a 33.5% stake but has yet to announce how it will fund the remaining 66.5% stake.
Xavier Girre has been provisionally appointed EDF finance chief in the wake of Mr Piquemal’s resignation.
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Hide AdLast month EDF Energy announced it would extend generation from four of its UK nuclear power stations.
Heysham 1 and Hartlepool, due to be decommissioned in 2019, will continue for an extra five years, and Heysham 2 and Torness in Scotland will extend by seven years to 2030.
An EDF spokesman said at the time: “Hinkley Point C is a strong project which is fully ready for a final investment decision and successful construction.
“Final steps are well in hand to enable the full construction phase to be launched very soon.”