UK guarantees nuclear deal as China investment is announced

[LeftishBrit]

Chancellor George Osborne has announced that the UK will guarantee a £2bn deal under which China will invest in the Hinkley Point nuclear power station...


He said it would also enable greater collaboration between Britain and China on the construction of nuclear plants.

Reports suggest one such reactor could be built at Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex.

Energy Secretary Amber Rudd told the Financial Times she wanted Beijing to take the lead in developing new nuclear plants in Britain...

(More at link)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-34306997


This is a week old, but I don't think it's been posted before. I have to admit that I am not absolutely delighted at the idea of a huge, faraway, non-democratic country having a key role in British nuclear power investment.

[bananas]

1. Related articles posted in LBN on Wed Sep 23 - including the "why": Trident nuclear missiles

Read all the articles in this LBN thread, they're all important with lots of info,
sad this isn't getting more attention:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141214607

"Only China wants to invest in Britain's new £2bn Hinkley Point nuclear plant because no one else thinks it will work, EDF admits"

"We are pro-nuclear, but Hinkley C must be scrapped: George Monbiot, Mark Lynas, and Chris Goodall"

"UK guarantees £2bn nuclear plant deal as China investment announced"

"Bombs Ahoy! Why the UK is desperate for nuclear power"

"Shining a light on Britain’s nuclear state: Trident and the Hinkley boondoggle"

[bananas]

2. "Al Gore blasts UK government for renewables roll back" posted to LBN on Wed Sep 23

LBN: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141214877
Video: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017295834

[T_i_B]

3. The nuclear power station in question (Bradwell-on-Sea)...

Is partially decommissioned and IIRC hasn't produced electricity for over 10 years.

If safety issues are properly addressed and the deal isn't too much in the overseas investors favour then I would be in favour of this.

[LeftishBrit]

4. Fair enough..

but your two 'If's are precisely what I tend to worry about.