Jenifer Baxter, head of energy and environment, Institution of Mechanical Engineers: “This announcement is welcome and great news for the nuclear sector, however, it is important to note that this is not the end but merely a small step at the start of securing our low carbon energy requirements  for the future.
“As outlined in our policy statement earlier on this year, the UK is facing an electricity supply gap by 2025, so the Government must ensure that a plan is put in place to meet future carbon targets as well as developing skills and growth for the sector.”

Duncan Hawthorne, chief executive, Horizon Nuclear Power: “New nuclear is vital for the UK’s future electricity mix and so today’s announcement on Hinkley Point C is good news for the country’s security of supply and clean energy needs. The emphasis must now be on delivering the government’s vision of a wider nuclear programme in the UK and we remain focused on continuing to make strong progress with our lead Wylfa Newydd project.”

Tony Ward, had of power & utilities, EY: “Big, tough decisions that benefit future generations and balance multiple needs are, and should be, hard to make – but that is precisely the role of Ggovernment.  It is absolutely right and proper that the government has taken a final opportunity to validate the deal arrangements, security and governance structures.  After ten years of preparation and deliberation, it is now time to deliver…
“Hinkley Point is a transformational infrastructure investment that will bring long-term employment for a highly-skilled workforce, stimulus for the UK’s industrial supply chain and positive social and economic benefits for the South West region.”

Josh Hardie, deputy director-general, CBI: “The final green light for Hinkley Point is good news for the UK’s energy future as well as supporting jobs and growth across the South West and the country…
“Investors are hungry for further signs from the Government that the UK is open for business. Pressing ahead with major infrastructure decisions – such as giving clarity to around the next Contracts for Difference auction and the post-2020 Levy Control Framework, and expanding runway capacity in the South East – would give a real boost to their confidence in the UK in the long-run.”

James Reynolds, Richard Goodfellow, Addleshaw Goddard: “On balance, Hinkley is good news for the UK.  As the economy falters after the vote to leave the EU, the certainty of a major infrastructure project going ahead, with the potential to create 25,000 new jobs, will act as a fillip to investors.  Despite the Brexit vote, Hinkley shows that our relations with European businesses can continue as usual.  In fact, leaving the EU may mean Austria’s challenge to the UK’s grant of state aid to the project becomes less significant (although of course the separate challenge to EDF’s state funding still needs to be surmounted).”

Simon Bullock, senior climate campaigner, Friends of the Earth: “Hinkley is a project from a dying era, which would saddle Britons with eye-watering costs for decades, and radioactive waste for millenia.
“Renewables, smart grids and energy storage are the fleet-footed mammals racing past this stumbling, inflexible nuclear dinosaur.
“The PM should act in Britain’s interests and invest in a renewable, non-nuclear electricity grid – it will give us more jobs and less pollution, at lower cost. This is blatantly the wrong decision from the PM.”

Simon Stuttaford, DWF: “It’s a relief that the government has finally committed to Hinkley Point C.  Energy infrastructure in the UK is in urgent need of renewal and it is estimated that up to 60GW of new generating capacity will be required by the mid 2020s. The UK needs new nuclear, and the political stability served by today’s decision is a critical ingredient for nuclear new build to flourish.”