EDF Energy’s chief executive, Vincent de Rivaz, has come out vocally in support of the campaign for the UK to remain a member of the European Union.
In a letter written to staff in the UK, de Rivaz said that he believes that to remain in the EU would be for Britain to uphold its core values of “co-operation and partnership”.
He also mentioned the company’s controversial Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, arguing that part of the reason that Chinese state owned nuclear corporation CGN decided to invest in the first place was on the basis of the plant representing “a strategic partnership with the UK and with France”. This would be undermined by a vote to leave, he claims.
“The European dimensions of this project” he said, “have been very important to China’s decision to commit.”
However, he assured, “The absolute need for HPC [Hinkley Point C] will remain regardless of the outcome of the vote and politicians on both sides of the debate recognise this.”
Vincent de Rivaz’s letter said: “Britain, the historical trading nation, has understood the benefits of collaboration and working together, of co-operation and partnership.
“This country has embraced globalisation as an opportunity despite the risks. As a result Britain is a modern country with a strong economy, the fifth-largest in the world. One of the strongest economies in the largest single market in the world.
“Being part of that European single market, Britain is in a position to benefit from the best of the two worlds, leading from inside, not from behind.”
Members of the Vote Leave campaign hit back at de Rivaz’s arguments, claiming that he is doing little more than echo the opinions of the French government, which owns 85% of EDF, and of the British government, whose subsidies EDF largely relies on.
A spokesperson for the campaign said that de Rivaz’s comments were “entirely unsurprising” as a result.
