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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4 hours ago
G7 leaders gather in Canada for summit overshadowed by Middle East crisis and Trump's tariffs
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San Francisco Chronicle
5 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
G7 leaders gather in Canada for summit overshadowed by Middle East crisis and Trump's tariffs
BANFF, Alberta (AP) — Leaders of some of the world's biggest economic powers will arrive in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday for a Group of Seven summit overshadowed by a widening war across the Middle East and U.S. President Donald Trump's unresolved trade war with allies and rivals alike. Israel's strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation, which appeared to catch many world leaders unawares, is the latest sign of a more volatile world as Trump seeks to withdraw the U.S. from its role as world policeman. Speaking on a flight to Canada to attend the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had discussed efforts to de-escalate the situation with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other world leaders. Britain is sending Royal Air Force jets and other military reinforcements to the Middle East. 'We do have longstanding concerns about the nuclear program Iran has. 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Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien told a panel this week that if Trump does act out, leaders should ignore him and remain calm like Carney did in his recent Oval Office meeting. 'He tends to be a bully,' Chrétien said. 'If Trump has decided to make a show to be in the news, he will do something crazy. Let him do it and keep talking normally.' Starmer had a warm Oval Office meeting with the president in February, wooing Trump with an invitation for a state visit from King Charles III. Trump has praised the British prime minister, despite their political differences. Zelenskyy expected to meet Trump Last month Britain and the U.S. announced they had struck a trade deal that will slash American tariffs on U.K. autos, steel and aluminum. It has yet to take effect, however, though British officials say they are not concerned the Trump administration might go back on its word. Starmer's attempts to woo Trump have left him in an awkward position with Canada, the U.K.'s former colony, close ally and fellow Commonwealth member. Starmer has also drawn criticism — especially from Canadians — for failing to address Trump's stated desire to make Canada the 51st state. Asked if he has told Trump to stop the 51st state threats, Starmer told The Associated Press: 'I'm not going to get into the precise conversations I've had, but let me be absolutely clear: Canada is an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth.' The war in Ukraine will be on the agenda. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to attend the summit and is expected to meet with Trump, a reunion coming just months after their bruising Oval Office encounter which laid bare the risks of having a meeting with the U.S. president. Starmer met with Carney in Ottawa before the summit for talks focused on security and trade, in the first visit to Canada by a British prime minister for eight years. German officials were keen to counter the suggestion that the summit would be a 'six against one' event, noting that the G7 countries have plenty of differences of emphasis among themselves on various issues. 'The only the problem you cannot forecast is what the president of the United States will do depending on the mood, the need to be in the news," said Chrétien.
