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The two new reactors will provide power for 5m homes

27/11/2012

EdF granted new nuclear site licence in UK

First new-build nuclear licence in UK in 25 years

Helen Tunnicliffe

THE UK’s Office for Nuclear regulation (ONR) has granted EdF Energy’s new nuclear build subsidiary NNB GenCo a new site licence for Hinkley Point in Somerset.

It is the first new site licence to be awarded in the UK for 25 years. Hinkley Point is already the site of two nuclear power stations, a Magnox plant, Hinkley Point A, which was operational from 1965­–2000 and is currently being decommissioned, and an advanced gas-cooled reactor, Hinkley Point B, which began generating in 1976 and is due to be shut down in 2016. NNB GenCo, which is part-owned by Centrica, hopes to build two European pressurised water reactors at the site, dubbed Hinkley Point C.

The ONR has spent over three years assessing the suitability of the site and NNB GenCo’s competence to build, commission and run Hinkley Point C safely before taking the decision to grant the licence. HM chief nuclear inspector Mike Weightman cautions that while the granting of the licence is a “significant step”, NNB GenCo will still be required to obtain further permits from ONR, the Environment Agency and the secretary of state for energy and climate change.

“NNB GenCo will now be required to comply with 36 conditions attached to a nuclear site licence. These conditions provide ONR with the necessary regulatory powers to ensure the protection of people and society from the hazards associated with such nuclear power generation,” says Weightman.

EdF says that the Planning Inspectorate has completed its assessment of Hinkley Point C and has until 21 December to put forward its recommendation to the energy secretary.

Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, EdF’s managing director of nuclear new build, says that the granting of the licence serves as a “vote of confidence” in the company and adds to the momentum behind plans for new nuclear generating capacity. The two new reactors will provide power for 5m homes and their construction will create 25,000 jobs, giving the UK economy a boost, he says.

“However, there is still a great deal of work to be done before this nationally-significant infrastructure project can become a reality. We remain focussed on putting the components in place that will enable a final investment decision to be made at the earliest possible date,” he adds.

The reactor design is still undergoing assessment by the ONR and the Environment Agency, but interim approval pending remediation of a few points for concern was granted in December 2011.