EDF gains a nuclear site licence for UK plant

• 11 years ago (2012-11-26)
• Junior Isles

Europe 1061 Nuclear 640

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EDF has been granted the UK’s first new nuclear plant site licence for 25 years for its planned Hinkley Point plant.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation has granted the site licence to NNB Generation Company, an EDF subsidiary which aims to build a new nuclear power station at the Somerset site.

The regulator says the move is not the final hurdle that allows the company to go-ahead to start constructing the reactor, but represents a crucial step towards a new generation of nuclear power plants in the UK.

"Although a significant step, it is important to note that granting a nuclear site licence does not constitute permission to start construction of a nuclear safety-related plant,” said Chief nuclear inspector Mike Weightman.

"That requires permission from the Office for Nuclear Regulation, permits from the Environment Agency and planning consent from the Secretary of State."

EDF Energy managing director of nuclear new build, Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, commented that, "The award of a nuclear site licence for Hinkley Point C is another crucial step forward as we ready ourselves to build the first new nuclear reactors in the UK for around 20 years, subject to our final investment decision."

"The proposed new power station in Somerset will provide enough low carbon electricity to power five million homes and its construction will create around 25 000 jobs at site alone, giving a real boost to the economy. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done before this nationally significant infrastructure project can become a reality," he said.