Future Of British Business

EDF Asks UK to Trigger Force Majeure in Hinkley Nuclear Contract

Utility says Covid-19 has curbed number of workers on project
Second project at Sizewell has been given planning permission

The Unit 1 nuclear reactor surrounded by cranes at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station construction site in Bridgwater, UK, on July 20.Photographer: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg

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By Rachel Morison and Hollie Adams

July 21, 2022 at 11:01 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Electricite de France SA has asked the UK to trigger a force majeure clause in the subsidy contract for its Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant.

The company has applied to a government agency to be allowed to declare a force majeure covering one year of delays due to Covid-19 restrictions that curbed the number of workers on the project, according to Stuart Crooks, managing director for Hinkley Point C. If approved, it will extend the time EDF has to start generating electricity before it starts losing funding.