P R O F I L E V I N C E N T D E R I VA Z
Too many companies see their CEOs change every three years - this means they come with words, whereas we've been able to deliver deeds ALIGNING PLANETS
‘It has been a formidable battle – but in a good sense. We’ve been through many hurdles, but each time, the project cleared
At the end of the day, Rivaz says that his job has been to
each and every one. This is a project that has passed all of the
align ‘planets’: London, Paris, Brussels, Beijing. ‘Sometimes two
tests... once, twice, three times, four times,’ he explains.
of these planets were perfectly aligned, but the third or fourth
‘It has been examined from all of the possible angles, so it
were not. Then they would move around again,’ he explains. ‘I’ve
isn’t by chance that we’ve overcome each hurdle: it means the
had the privilege to be at the centre of these planets to align
project is right.’
them and provide the skills required to enable the alignment.’ Speaking to Rivaz, it is clear that he excels in the skills of
THE MAY GOVERNMENT
patience, diplomacy, project management and leadership.
Vincent de Rivaz says that he was not shaken by Theresa
Rivaz is adamant, however, that his role was simply that of
May’s decision to re-examine the project when she became
a leader – he says that the real credit should go to his team.
Prime Minister this summer. ‘To be honest, I understood
‘This was not an individual adventure – it was a collective
the rationale. The new government had to take ownership
adventure. I have such a huge debt to everyone who has
of the decision,’ he explains. ‘It was much better that the
worked on this for years.’
new government took a few extra weeks to conduct another
But, he warns, this is just the beginning: ‘The success of
thorough review and come to its own conclusion. After all, it’s a
Hinkley Point C will not be delivered by me, but by those who
decision that will matter for decades to come.’
are going to build it over the next ten years, and operate it over
He remained confident about the project and open to any
the following next 60.’
questions, and wrote a letter to EDF Energy staff to reassure
What effect might Brexit have on this? Rivaz remains
them, explaining why the new government’s review was
diplomatic: ‘I’m certainly going to engage with the Government
necessary. ‘It wasn’t the time to lose patience or show any
and Brussels. We are responsible for the largest construction
anxiety,’ he says. ‘I just had to think that, for this last hurdle, it
project in Europe, right here in Britain.
would lead to the same conclusion as the others.’
‘There are a lot of implications, so I hope to have the
Finally, at two minutes to midnight on 14 September, the
opportunity to give a constructive viewpoint on this issue.
day before Parliament went into recess, he got the call: Hinkley
Nuclear has a great future, and this project opens up
Point C would get the go-ahead.
opportunities beyond Britain. The world is watching us.’ I JH
HINKLEY POINT C TIMELINE 2003
Energy whitepaper declares that future energy
2013
Planning consent is obtained (March); UK
will be without nuclear
Government agrees contract with EDF (October)
2006
Tony Blair announces energy review where
2014
Preparatory construction works begin (May); EU
nuclear could be included
approves the contract (October)
2007
EDF Energy announces its new nuclear plans for
2015
EDF signs a deal with Chinese firm CGN, which
the UK
will provide one-third of the £18bn cost and
share in future projects at Sizewell and Bradwell
2016
EDF Board of Directors reviews EDF Group’s long-
term financial trajectory enabling the funding of
Hinkley Point C (April) and finally approves project
(July); UK government announces new review
2009
EDF Energy takes over British Energy and its 15
existing nuclear reactors
2010
Hinkley Point site gets declared eligible for
nuclear new build
2012
EPR nuclear technology gets approval from
(July) and finally approves project (September); all
Office for Nuclear Regulation
the contracts are signed (September)
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