The survey of 2,049 adults suggested half of the UK population (50 per cent) believes that French companies should not be allowed to build and operate a nuclear power station on our shores, and 67 per cent are against a Chinese role in UK nuclear power stations.
The study also suggested 46 per cent of UK adults believe foreign investment in the building of a nuclear power station in the UK is a negative thing, compared with just 12 per cent thinking it positive.
The majority (57 per cent) of the study sample believed that, aside from France and China, Japanese companies involved in two other key new nuclear build projects in the pipeline – Moorside in Cumbria and Wylfa in North Wales – should not be allowed to build and operate nuclear power plants in Britain.
New Nuclear Watch Europe chair Tim Yeo said: “There has been a worrying drop in support from the British public, which will compound the financial and technical challenges already faced by the Hinkley Point C project.
“NNWE is concerned that ongoing delays at Hinkley are damaging the wider development prospects for nuclear power in the UK. NNWE has been calling for some time for a rigorous analysis from of our alternatives when it comes to new nuclear build.
“The reality of modern new nuclear projects is that international consortia are needed to bring together the right combination of technical expertise and financial backing. These polling numbers don’t look good for a government in search of a plan B.
“Ministers need to tackle public concerns about foreign investment in UK infrastructure head on or face a backlash against the next generation of nuclear power stations.
“We desperately need new nuclear to meet our carbon reduction targets and to secure British supply chain jobs in the nuclear industry. The political challenge will be in keeping minds open to keep the lights on.”
Fieldwork was undertaken between 10 and 11 April 2016. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 18 and over.
Project setbacks
A final investment decision on the £18 billion Hinkley project has been repeatedly delayed because EDF – which is 85 per cent French-state-owned – has struggled to secure sufficient financing for the project. A decision will now not be made until September at the earliest.
In March chief executive Jean-Bernard Lévy said the project will not go ahead without the injection of extra capital from its 85 per cent shareholder – the French state. And, shortly afterward Macron said it would be a “mistake” to abandon Hinkley and suggested his government could help with financing by accepting dividend payments from EDF in the form of shares rather than cash.
Greenpeace and Ecotricity have threatened legal action if the project receives any further state funding, arguing that any such support from would not be covered by the European Commission’s approval of state aid in October 2014, and would therefore be illegal without a fresh decision by the commission.