New Energy Minister’s visit to Somerset reaffirms importance of new nuclear projects to our future low carbon, sustainable energy mix.
The importance of nuclear and the huge benefits to technical education and local jobs for the Bridgwater area were reaffirmed when Jesse Norman, the new Energy Minister, visited Hinkley Point and Cannington Court training centre, near Bridgwater, Somerset for the first time.
During the visit the Minister toured the Hinkley Point B power station and the construction site for Hinkley Point C.
He also met apprentices and EDF Energy employees at both the Cannington Court training centre, and the Construction Skills and Innovation Centre.
Hinkley Point C nuclear power station will provide:
- 25,000 jobs and apprenticeships during construction
- An estimated 64% of the £18bn cost of construction to go to UK businesses
- 900 permanent jobs once running; and
- £40 million a year to the local economy
Energy Minister, Jesse Norman said:
“The visit to Hinkley Point C construction project has been fascinating.
This project heralds a new era of nuclear power generation in the UK, and coming here has given me a chance to see low-carbon energy driving local and national economic growth, attracting new businesses and creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs.
These are all key goals of our new UK-wide Industrial Strategy.”