Hinkley Point C
The largest active nuclear construction project in Europe
Location
History & Background
Hinkley Point C was first announced in 2008 as part of a wave of new UK nuclear projects intended to replace aging AGR reactors. EDF Energy received final investment approval in 2016 after years of negotiation over the strike-price contract that guarantees the plant a long-term electricity price. Construction began in 2017. The two European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) units were originally planned to enter service by 2025; current EDF estimates put first operation around 2030.
Why It Matters
When complete, Hinkley Point C will be the first new nuclear plant built in the UK since Sizewell B in 1995. It will supply approximately 7% of UK electricity—enough for around 6 million homes—and is central to the UK's 2050 net-zero strategy. The project is also a test case for the financial viability of new gigawatt-scale nuclear in Western Europe.
Environmental Impact
A typical EPR plant displaces about 12 million tonnes of CO2 per year compared to natural gas-fired generation. Hinkley Point C is designed for an operating life of 60 years. The cooling water intake structures on the Bristol Channel have been the subject of long-running environmental disputes related to fish protection.
In the News & Controversies
The original strike price (£92.50 per MWh in 2012 pounds, indexed to inflation) has drawn sustained criticism as overly favorable to EDF. Construction costs have risen from an initial £18 billion estimate to more than £35 billion in current pounds. CGN, the Chinese partner that originally took a 33% stake, has been progressively excluded from UK nuclear projects amid security concerns.
Fun Facts
- Hinkley Point C is the largest construction site in Europe by area, employing over 12,000 workers at peak.
- A single EPR pressure vessel weighs about 525 tonnes—more than the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.
- The site is adjacent to two earlier Hinkley plants: Hinkley A (1965–2000, decommissioning) and Hinkley B (1976–2022, defueled).
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Hinkley Point C open?▾
EDF's most recent guidance is that the first reactor will enter service in 2029 or 2030, with the second following 12–18 months later. The original 2025 target has slipped multiple times.
Why is Hinkley Point C so expensive?▾
The project is one of only a handful of EPR builds worldwide and is being built in a country that has not built a commercial reactor in nearly 30 years. Supply-chain costs, regulatory complexity, and the project's "first-of-a-kind" character in the UK have all contributed.
About Nuclear Power
Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to generate heat, which produces steam to drive turbines. They provide reliable baseload power with virtually no direct carbon emissions, though they produce radioactive waste.
Other Power Plants in United Kingdom
| Name | Type | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Drax Power Station | Biomass | 3.9 GW |
| Dogger Bank Wind Farm | Wind | 3.6 GW |
| Hornsea Two | Wind | 1.4 GW |
| Hornsea One | Wind | 1.2 GW |
| Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm | Wind | 857 MW |
Related Reading
Data Information
Data Sources
Power plant data is based on the Global Power Plant Database by World Resources Institute, in collaboration with Google, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Enipedia, and the Global Energy Observatory. Editorial content on this page is curated and reviewed by the StatsPanda team using publicly available reporting and operator filings.
Disclaimer
Information found on this page is for informational purposes only. Power plant specifications, ownership, and operational status may have changed since the data was last updated. Please verify critical information with official sources.