Stop Hinkley Newsletter Jan 2023
Posted: 10th January 2023
EDF’s protestations that changes to Hinkley Point C Contract don’t mean more delays fail to convince
Press Release 7 December
On 29th November the Daily Telegraph reported that a new contract between the Government and EDF suggests Hinkley Point C (HPC) might not be ready until 2036 – 11 years later than originally planned. Whilst EDF insists that its latest finishing date of 2027 has not changed, concerns remain that there will be further delays, otherwise why change the contract. Delays and cost overruns at all of the other reactors of the same type being built elsewhere in the world provide a clue as to the likely outcome. Read More >> http://stophinkley.org/press-releases/edfs-protestations-that-changes-to-hinkley-point-c-contract-dont-mean-more-delays-fail-to-convince/
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Hinkley Point B Closure – The End of an Error
Press Release 27 July
Hinkley Point B (HPB) may be ending electricity generation on 1st August, but the UK will be left with its legacy of nuclear waste for thousands of years. Even after generating waste for 46 years, we are still not sure what will happen to it other than a vague promise that it will be buried underground in a Geological Disposal Facility – a site for which has still not been found. Read more >> http://stophinkley.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/PressRelease27thJuly2022.pdf
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First Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor ready for delivery
Hinkley Point C’s first nuclear reactor is built and ready to be delivered. The reactor pressure vessel is the first to be built for a British power station for more than 30 years. It was built in France by nuclear engineering company Framatome and is due to arrive to the Bridgwater site at some point in 2023. The 13m tall, high-strength steel cylinder weighs in at 500 tonnes and will hold the nuclear fuel and house the chain reaction that generates heat. Once in use, its core will have an average temperature of 300C. The heat will be used to create high pressure steam that will power some of the world’s largest turbines.
BBC 16th Dec 2022 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-64006027
New Civil Engineer 16th Dec 2022 https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/hinkley-point-cs-first-nuclear-reactor-ready-for-delivery-16-12-2022/
World Nuclear News 16th Dec 2022 https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/First-reactor-vessel-for-Hinkley-Point-C-completed
In this current time of energy crisis there is no certainty as to when, if ever, HPC will start to produce electricity. There is also no certainty that it will be provided to British customers. France is also in an energy crisis. Technically EDF, the only producer of electricity from UK nuclear reactors, can send the electricity it produces to France!
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‘Very important step’ taken in Bristol net zero pursuit as council signs off £400million investment deal
Bristol World, 7 December
The two-decade deal involves projects which will transform how Bristol generates, distributes, stores and uses energy
A major deal has been approved paving the way for investment worth hundreds of millions into renewable energy in Bristol. City Hall chiefs signed off the City Leap deal between Bristol City Council and Ameresco, marking a “very important step” in the route to net zero emissions. Read More >>https://www.bristolworld.com/news/bristol-city-council-city-leap-deal-3945769
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Raymond Briggs CBE (1934 –2022)
We were sorry to hear the news that Raymond Briggs had passed away in August. He had been a patron of Stop Hinkley from the early days. He was best known for ‘The Snowman’ but he also wrote ‘When the Wind Blows’, a graphic novel that shows a nuclear attack on Britain published in 1982.
Our thoughts are with his family.
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Dame Vivienne Westwood
(1941 – 2022)
Vivienne Westwood sadly passed away 29 December aged 81. She had been a patron since 2016. She was a fashion designer, largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream, as well as an active climate campaigner.
Our sympathies are with her family.
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Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Gathering
In August we took part in this four day event in Bristol. Several Stop Hinkley supporters wore the ‘waste barrels’ which drew all sorts of interest from nuclear waste researchers to ladies on a hen celebration who borrowed some barrels and wore them around Bristol with much hilarity.
Our own Allan Jefffery gave a very informative talk which was appreciated by the audience and triggered lots of associated discussion
Make a note for your diary as this event, in it’s 4th year, will again be at Castle Park in Bristol on August 6th to 9th.
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No2NuclearPower is an invaluable resource for news and information. You can sign up for a daily update but he is now offering a weekly option – for folk that don’t want to get news every day.
Sign up here: https://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/mailing-lists/
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Renewal Reminders
A subscription reminder may have been posted to you. If you haven’t received one, or would like to join, please go to our website http://stophinkley.org/support-us/ where you can pay by PayPal, download a standing order form or find out how to send a cheque.
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Apologies and Appeal
We must apologise for the lack of newsletters over the last year. The team have been very busy in 2022 with various issues, including:
- Meeting the Office for Nuclear Regulation and responding to their strategy document
- Meeting the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and responding to their independent review of the government’s approach to delivering its nett zero target.
- Meeting the Environment Agency
- Attending Site Stakeholder and Community Forum meetings
- Taking mud samples from the Severn Estuary for analysis.
- Working on the Acoustic Fish Deterrent decision.
- Administering membership and accounts
· Updating website, Facebook and other media
It has been very difficult for us all to deal with this alongside personal, family and health issues. We are therefore taking steps to bring in new supporters who are able to help take on various responsibilities and move Stop Hinkley into the next chapter.
If you feel able to help in any way, please get in touch [email protected]
Events
Stop Hinkley meetings
Our monthly campaign meetings are being held via Zoom for the time being. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved.
Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of the month. All members and non-members are very welcome to attend, though only members have voting rights.
Contact: [email protected]
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Contacts
Press & Spokespersons: Pete Roche: [email protected] 01749 860767 or 07821 378 210
Local Information: Allan Jeffery [email protected] 01278 425451
Street Stalls & Events: Jo Smoldon: [email protected] 01278 459 099
Membership/Treasurer/Website: Val Davey: [email protected]
Nuclear power is not cheap and it is not safe.
Join our campaign to fight off the new station at Hinkley. Please Support Us (stophinkley.org)
Our members have enabled us to continue the fight against Nuclear Power in Somerset, but the prospect of Hinkley C being allowed to start operation is moving ever closer
Please support Stop Hinkley. The larger our membership is, the louder our voice. The suggested annual subscription is £12 for an individual (£5 unwaged) or £20 for a family. We ask you to donate as much as they feel able, but whatever you give, however small, is gratefully received.
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