Hinkley Point C
On 26 November 2012, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) granted a nuclear site licence to NNB Generation Company (NNB GenCo) in relation to its proposed site at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. Now that it is licensed, the company will be subject to statutory obligations and regulation by ONR.
Although a significant step, it is important to note that granting a nuclear site licence does not constitute permission to start construction of nuclear safety-related plant. That requires permission from ONR, a suitable reactor design, permits from the Environment Agency and planning consent from the Secretary of State.
This decision follows a formal application to ONR in July 2011 from NNB GenCo for a nuclear site licence. ONR spent more than three years in total engaging with NNB GenCo and assessing its suitability, capability and competence to install, operate and decommission a nuclear facility.
Additionally NNB GenCo's selected reactor design, the European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR), is still undergoing a process of 'Generic Design Assessment' by ONR and the Environment Agency.
Read all assessment reports relating to the nuclear site licence for Hinkley Point C.
See also
- Joint regulators' Generic Design Assessment of nuclear reactors
- The Environment Agency's Hinkley Point page
- EDF Energy's Hinkley Point page
- Department of Energy and Climate Change's nuclear page
- Stop Hinkley
- West Somerset District Council's Hinkley Point page
- Planning Inspectorate's Hinkley Point C webpage