Fish protection row risks delaying British nuclear power plant
Britain's Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant risks being delayed yet again because of a row about fish, the project's owner has said.
EDF Energy said it was struggling to agree protection measures for fish in the River Severn over fears thousands of them will be killed in its water cooling intakes. This has 'the potential to delay the operation of the power station', it said.
The nuclear plant is already running years behind schedule. It was initially expected to power homes in 2017, but the start date was last year delayed until at least 2029. EDF has also said the scheme will cost as much as £35bn to complete, up from previous estimates of between £25bn and £26bn in 2022.
The threat of a further delay comes after months of tussles over Hinkley Point C's seawater cooling system. EDF has estimated that the system, which would suck seawater up to cool the plant, would result in 44 tonnes of fish being ingested and killed every year.
Campaigners have argued salmon stocks will be decimated by the scheme, while Hinkley Point C officials have claimed there would be a 'very small impact on fish populations'.
EDF has suggested flooding 840 acres of land to create new saltmarsh habitats where marine species will be able to breed.
However, environmental groups have been pushing for 'acoustic fish deterrents' to be installed at the power plant which would use loudspeakers to scare away fish.
Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer singled out the proposal for ridicule, saying it was part of a system that was 'holding us back and stifling growth'.
Writing in the Daily Mail, he said of the acoustic fish deterrent plan: 'I wish I was joking.'
The Prime Minister said there were 'countless examples of Nimbys and zealots gumming up the legal system often for their own ideological blindspots to stop the Government building the infrastructure the country needs'.
He vowed to speed up infrastructure projects to help spur growth.
Hinkley Point C is the only nuclear power plant currently under construction in the UK. Once finished, the plant in Somerset is expected to provide around 7pc of Britain's total power.
The Government has signalled that nuclear power will be crucial to help Britain meet its net zero goals.
Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, said last month: 'Getting Hinkley up and running to produce clean power for 6m homes will be a win for our long-term energy independence, protecting billpayers as we accelerate to net zero.'
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