E3G has submitted written comments to DG Competition regarding its investigation into possible breaches of state aid rules by the UK Government in providing a contract to underpin the construction of a nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.
The comments focus on the assertion by the UK Government that alternative options for meeting energy policy objectives involving demand side solutions and sharing resources with neighbouring countries cannot be relied upon. The submission points out that this view is inconsistent with other statements made by the UK Government and is not supported by a raft of analysis of the UK market and evidence from other international markets. Given the same level of political and regulatory support as is proposed for Hinkley Point, demand side solutions and sharing resources with neighbours are likely to make a far greater contribution to meeting policy objectives with a far lower risk of delivery failure.