At EDF, Politics Wins as Hollande Pushes for $25 Billion Project

France needs plant to support its nuclear-engineering industry
U.K. offers price guarantees as emissions' obligations loom

Hinkley Point B nuclear power station, operated by Electricite de France SA's (EDF), stands near Bridgwater, U.K., on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015. Electricite de France SA and China General Nuclear Power Corp. struck a deal in October to build by 2025 the 3.2 gigawatt-plant at Hinkley Point in southwest England. — Hinkley Point B nuclear power station, operated by Electricite de France SA's (EDF), stands near Bridgwater, U.K., on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015. Electricite de France SA and China General Nuclear Power Corp. struck a deal in October to build by 2025 the 3.2 gigawatt-plant at Hinkley Point in southwest England.
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

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By Francois de Beaupuy and Rachel Morison

March 7, 2016 at 4:12 PM UTC

Updated on

March 8, 2016 at 6:42 AM UTC

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It’s no surprise Electricite de France SA is a very political company.

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