Prime Minister visits Hinkley Point C to announce new energy strategy

Today (07 April) Prime Minster Boris Johnson visited the Hinkley Point C Site, joined by the Business & Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng MP, as part of the launch of the Government’s British Energy Security Strategy.

The strategy sees a major emphasis on homegrown power for greater energy independence with a significant acceleration in nuclear generation and an ambition of up to 24GW by 2050. A new government body, Great British Nuclear, will be set up immediately to bring forward new projects.

Boris Johnson toured the site to see construction progress, gave interviews and met with members of the workforce, including trainee reactor operators and apprentices. Kwasi Kwarteng spoke to press from the new Simulator Building on site. The party was hosted by Stuart Crooks, MD and Nigel Cann, Delivery Director.

Choosing Hinkley Point C as the backdrop for this announcement underlines the importance of this project plays and the role of nuclear within the strategy. Replicating Hinkley Point C's design at Sizewell C will be the fastest way to get more nuclear power in Britain and it means we’ll protect and reuse the skills we’ve developed in nuclear construction.

 In addition to new nuclear, the announcement included commitments to supercharge clean energy and accelerate deployment, which could see 95% of Britain’s electricity set to be low-carbon by 2030.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said: “We’re setting out bold plans to scale up and accelerate affordable, clean and secure energy made in Britain, for Britain – from new nuclear to offshore wind – in the decade ahead."

Stuart Crooks, HPC Managing Director, said: "It’s been great to host our Prime Minister at site this morning. He was really impressed by the progress we’re making and the people he met. Today’s Energy Security Strategy announcement is great news for nuclear. It will help ensure we preserve the skills and experience we’ve grown on this project. It’s fantastic to have been at the centre of something so important for the country. A big thank you to the many people who've worked so hard to make this visit such a success.”