Hitachi pulls out of UK nuclear power projects

Wylfa Newydd nuclear plant on Anglesey in North Wales and Oldbury on Severn in South Gloucestershire were being developed by Horizon Nuclear Power, which was acquired by Hitachi in 2012. The company had planned to develop at least 5,800MW of new nuclear power across the sites.

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Hitachi suspended both projects in January 2019 after failing to negotiate a deal with the government on financing the projects, a situation exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19.

During the hiatus, Horizon maintained the capability to remobilise in the event of a new financing model being established. Horizon said it will now take steps to close its current development activities, adding that it will keep lines of communication open with government and stakeholders regarding future options at both sites.

In a statement, Horizon’s chief executive Duncan Hawthorne said: “Nuclear power has a critical role to play in helping tackle our energy needs, meeting our climate change targets and levelling up the economy through green growth and job creation.