Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what compensation mechanisms are in place for EDF in the event that the Government closes Hinkley Point C for reasons other than safety or immediate environmental reasons.

If a final contract is signed, it is expected that the investors in Hinkley Point C would, subject to conditions, receive compensation in the event of a political shut down of the plant other than for reasons including health, nuclear safety, security, environmental reasons, nuclear transport or nuclear safeguards. These arrangements would be supported by an agreement between my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Hinkley Point C investors.

The exact details of the compensation mechanisms are to be agreed between the Government and EDF, but the principle would be that investors are compensated for their losses directly as a result of the decision to shut them down.