Hinkley Point setback turns heads to offshore wind

With further delays on Hinkley Point and its future in doubt, benefits of renewables should be considered.

The government are to review major nuclear power plant project, Hinkley Point C, due to rising costs of up to £18.5Bn, and recent issues with investors.

The crown estate has joined the debate, whilst not suggesting that the project should be scrapped, they suggest that whilst the government are re-examining the case for Hinkley, offshore wind should be considered, along with others as successful low carbon technology.

The group pointed out that offshore windfarms are being built at cheaper prices than the proposed atomic reactors for Somerset, with offshore wind already meeting about 5% of the UK’s electricity needs, on track to meet 10% by 2020.

Hinkley Point C is not expected to be constructed until the mid-2020s, and will produce 7% of the total needs.

The sector has undergone a sea change over the last few years, driven by rapid advances in technology, cost, and industry’s ability to deliver on time and to budget.

Huub den Rooijen, Director of energy, minerals and infrastructure at the crown estate, said: “We should remember our seabed is a powerful energy asset. At present, we have 2,200 wind turbines in operation and under construction taking up less than 1% of our total seabed,” he said.

“National Grid estimates that nearly half of all power could be generated from our seabed by 2030 through offshore wind, combined with tidal power lagoons and strong electrical connections to our neighbouring countries.

“We have an inexhaustible supply of reliable and clean power right on our doorstep, and competitively priced offshore wind now offers a mature part of the solution for the UK’s energy mix.

“Although there are differences in terms of regulation, most would agree that the Dutch are now going to be paying the equivalent of about £80/MWh for their 700 megawatt windfarm. That is significantly lower than Hinkley Point at £92.50/MWh.”

The comments come following a further controversy in the debate over Hinkley Point, after Chinese investors are accused of espionage. For the last nine years since the project was suggested by EDF energy, delays and cost issues have been ongoing.

 

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