A discussion over decommissioning funds was raised during the Midday
briefing, as the European Commission announced the approval of merger
between Électricité de France (‘EDF’) of France and China General
Nuclear Power Group (‘CGN’) of China in relation to the development,
construction and operation of three nuclear power plants in the UK at
Hinkley Point, Sizewell and Bradwell. The approval took place under the
EU Merger Regulation the partnership, with the Commission investigating
the vertical link between CGN’s activities in the market for design and
manufacture of “nuclear islands” and the joint ventures’ of future
activities in the generation and wholesale supply of electricity.
EDF and CGN sign a Strategic Investment Agreement for joint
investment for two EPR reactors at Hinkley Point C, that covers wider UK
partnership to develop new nuclear power stations at Sizewell and
Bradwell on 21 October 2015 in London.
In conclusion to the approval, the Commission raised no concerns, as
other nuclear-related markets where where CGN and other Chinese
State-owned companies are active, would not have the ability to shut
competitors out of these markets. Asked about the lack of
decommissioning funds, as a connection to the merger’s approval,
Ricardo Cardoso, Spokesperson for Competition gave the floor to
Anna-Kaisa Itkonen,
Climate Action and Energy Spokesperson, that announced the Nuclear
illustrative programme report publication in the forthcoming weeks.
As 5 years from Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster anniversary is
today, Itkonen linked the “NaTech disaster” memory with the actions
European Commission plans to take in 2016. As Itkonen mentioned, Nuclear
illustrative programme, is a requirement of Article 40 of the European
Treaty and “provides a photograph of the situation of nuclear energy use
and decommissioning in Europe. The 2016 edition will cover the
post-Fukushima safety upgrade investments and those related with
long-term operation with existing nuclear power plants, as well as those
related to decommissioning”, added Itkonen.
Itkonen refused to answer to leaks over more than €50 billion lack of
funding on France’s decommission funding. On the issue of state funds
used as decommissioning funds from France, Cardoso said to NE that there
is no ongoing investigation on the issue and therefore, the European
Commission cannot comment.
http://neurope.eu/article/5-years-after-fukushima-disaster-the-commission-clears-edf-cgn-nuclear-partnership-over-lack-of-decommissioning-funds/