2016年CRI Britain gives green light to Hinkley nuclear project

 

An official statement released by the British government says the Hinkley Point project will be moving forward following an agreement between the UK government and French firm EDF, which is one of the projects' two co-builders, alongside China General Nuclear Power.

In moving the project forward, the UK government says it has worked out agreements with the French side which will allow the UK government veto control over any future move by EDF to sell its stake in the 24-billion US dollar Hinkley Power Plant project before the completion of construction.

EDF Chief Executive Vincent de Rivaz.

"I would like to say very clearly how delighted I am that the government has taken this decision, it is great news for the customers, it is a big boost for the UK industry."

In one of her first acts as the UK's new Prime Minister, Theresa May announced two months ago that her administration was putting the brakes on the joint¹ project, with UK officials citing concerns about China's one-third investment.

While the Chinese government only urged the UK government to fast-track its review process, outside observers suggested the move may have affected² relations between China and the UK, which hit new heights under May's predecessor³, David Cameron.

Chinese political observer Zhu Wenhui says the move to get Hinkley Point back on-track is something the UK government had to do, both politically and pragmatically.

"As far as the Theresa May administration is concerned, they could not afford to keep on waiting. A number of skillful technicians are going to retire soon, and if they keep shelving the issue, it'll be hard for the new staff to succeed without proper management from the experienced workers. As such, it's high time that they made the decision as soon as possible."

Responding to the news, officials with China General Nuclear are promising⁴ to provide safe, reliable and sustainable low-carbon energy for the UK.

The 23.6-billion-U.S. dollar Hinkley Point C plant will be the UK's first nuclear power plant in two decades.

It's going to generate around 7-percent of the country's electricity needs for 60-years after its operational in 2025.

Its construction is also going to generate around 26-thousand jobs in the UK.

For CRI, I'm Xie Cheng.

1 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

4 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。