“The absolute need for will remain regardless of the outcome of the vote, and politicians on both sides of the debate recognise this,” said De Rivaz in a letter to employees.
However, he gave his backing to remain: “I will not have a vote because I am not a British citizen. However, one colleague at Barnwood recently asked me: ‘If you had a vote, what would you vote?’ My answer was: I would vote remain. Remain together.”
He said the close cooperation between the UK and France was a key factor in the Chinese decision to invest in the project: “China has chosen for their first large investment in nuclear in western countries because it is a great project, but also because it is a strategic partnership with the UK and with France.
“The European dimensions of this project have been very important to China’s decision to commit.”
De Rivaz also stressed the importance of the EU to decarbonisation: “All countries in Europe are in transition to a low-carbon economy. This transition is not easy or smooth, and to be honest not fully joined up between countries.”
“Our power systems must cooperate across Europe, through interconnections and a new way to mix decentralised and centralised systems,” he added.
He praised Britain’s “leading role” on this front, saying its introduction of a carbon price floor had paved the way for others: “As it happens, France recently decided to implement a carbon price floor. The combined voice and common choice of UK and France will have an impact in Europe.”
Writing exclusively for Utility Week last week energy minister Andrea Leadsom warned that remaining in the EU would threaten the UK’s energy security.
Meanwhile, a survey of industry professionals by the Energy Institute found a majority thought Brexit would be bad for Britain’s energy system.