Despite last year's announcement from EDF Energy that the startup of Unit 1 at Hinkley Point C would likely be delayed (from late 2025 to June 2026), current progress at the site is receiving praise from the U.K. government. On January 13, Kwasi Kwarteng, secretary of state for business, energy, and industrial strategy, and Helen Whately, exchequer secretary of the treasury, toured the nuclear new-build project, accompanied by Jean Bernard Levy, EDF's chairman and chief executive. "The U.K. government recognizes that large-scale nuclear is the only technology available to provide continuous, low-carbon electricity at scale," Kwarteng said. "In order to strengthen Britain's energy security and reduce our exposure to volatile global gas prices, we are firmly committed to deploying new nuclear, as seen through the construction of Hinkley Point C.... It has been remarkable to see how construction work is progressing and to meet with some of the workers driving forward one of Britain's biggest infrastructure projects. New nuclear is not only at the heart of our plans to ensure greater energy independence, but to create high-quality jobs, boost apprenticeships, and drive economic growth."
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