Hinkley nuclear reactor project gains EU approval, leak reveals

British plans for a nuclear renaissance centred on a nuclear reactor in Somerset achieved a breakthrough after a nine-month European Union state aid investigation ended with a call for Brussels to approve the project.

The EU’s competition commissioner, Joaquín Almunia, had expressed scepticism that the Hinkley Point C scheme could satisfy the EU’s state aid criteria after the UK government agreed to underwrite the project with a loan guarantee and a commitment on the price of the electricity generated by the power station.

Green groups condemned the commissioner's U-turn on the subject and the Austrian chancellor announced that the country would take the European Commission to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) if the executive approved Britain's plans.

ESO: Background information: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into UK measures supporting nuclear energy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-commission-opens-in-depth-investigation-into-uk-measures-supporting-nuclear-energy/

The Guardian, 23.09.14: Hinkley nuclear reactor project gains EU approval, leak reveals http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/22/hinkley-point-nuclear-reactor-gains-eu-approval

The Telegraph, 22.09.14: UK strikes deal with EU over Hinkley Point nuclear plant http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/11113445/UK-strikes-deal-with-EU-over-Hinkley-Point-nuclear-plant.html

BBC News, 22.09.14: Hinkley nuclear power plant recommended for approval http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-29317800

The Wall Street Journal, 22.09.14: EU Regulators Approve New U.K. Nuclear Plant http://online.wsj.com/articles/eu-set-to-approve-new-u-k-nuclear-plant-1411400226

EurActiv, 06.10.14: Austria will sue if EU regulator clears UK nuclear plant plan http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/austria-says-will-sue-if-eu-regulator-clears-uk-nuclear-plant-plan-308943

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