Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether the operator's liability for decommissioning costs are capped in the contract for difference for Hinkley Point C, or whether these will be passed on to EDF in full.

There is no cap in the contract for difference for Hinkley Point C on the operator’s liability for decommissioning costs.

The Government’s policy is that operators of new nuclear power stations must have arrangements in place to meet the full costs of decommissioning and their full share of waste management and disposal costs. This policy is being implemented through a framework created by the Energy Act 2008. The Energy Act requires operators of new nuclear power stations to have a Funded Decommissioning Programme approved by the Secretary of State in place before construction of a new nuclear power station begins and to comply with this programme thereafter.