Hitachi is close to putting its plans for a new nuclear power project on hold, according to the Japanese press.
This comes as the board of the Japanese technology giant has decided to suspend work on the plant from today (14/1/19).
Hitachi’s UK nuclear subsidiary Horizon has been working on plans for a 2.9GW plant on the Isle of Anglesey, which is one of a handful of sites designated in the UK government’s national policy statement for a large nuclear power station.
The project for the twin reactor station is due to follow EDF’s Hinkley Point C, which is currently being constructed.
Pulling workers off site could deliver a heavy blow to plans to rollout a new fleet of large nuclear reactors coming following Toshiba last year pulling out of plans for Moorside in Cumbria. However, at this stage it is still a suspension of activity.
The Nikkei Asian Review has reported difficulties finding Japanese investors despite the UK government’s agreement to take a stake last summer.
Sue Ferns, senior deputy general secretary at the science union Prospect, commented the reports are “extremely worrying”.
She said: “To lose one major nuclear project is a serious blow, to lose two in six months would set alarm bells ringing about the sincerity of the government’s commitment to new nuclear…”
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