nuclear-news

Hinkley nuclear project needs to get more permissions

The granting of the licence does not provide full permission for the construction of the power station.

New nuclear clears licence hurdle for EDF-Centrica  link2    David Thorpe, News Editor, 27 Nov 12, EDF, the French power company, and Centrica are closer to building the first new nuclear power station in Britain, following the granting of a Nuclear Site Licence (NSL) for Hinkley Point C by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

The regulator has signalled its confidence that NNB GenCo, the new
nuclear build subsidiary of EDF Energy, has developed the required
organisation, management structure, plans and procedures needed for
the construction, commissioning and operation of its proposed new
nuclear power station in Somerset.

Conditions of the licence include the development, implementation and
maintenance of adequate safety arrangements throughout the life of
Hinkley Point C.

The granting of the licence does not provide full permission for the construction of the power station. EDF Energy will require a further
consent from the ONR to begin work under the terms of the NSL.

HM chief nuclear inspector Mike Weightman said: “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,
permits from the Environment Agency and planning consent from the
secretary of state…..
The project is not uncontroversial. Regular protests occur at the
site. The most recent was on 23 November when dawn found ten
protestors blockading access to the site to prevent labourers from
continuing ground clearance work, and to protest at EDF’s plan to
extend the life of the existing old reactors at the Hinkley B station.

The protesters have been complaining that substantial work has been
going on to prepare the site, despite the fact that planning
permission has not been granted.

There were four arrests and the gates were blocked for four and a half
hours with no workers getting in or out.

Protester Zoe Smith said: “If the Tories fix the electricity price for
nuclear so that the project can go ahead it will leave high level
radioactive waste stored here in ponds for hundreds of years. The
serious flooding in this area now shows how dangerous this would be.”

‘Stop Hinkley’ spokesperson Theo Simon added: “With its massive marine
energy resource, West Somerset is perfectly placed to lead the way in
renewables, but EDF’s plans would turn it into a toxic waste dump for
our grandchildren.”

The forthcoming Energy Bill is expected to support the building of new
nuclear power plants by reforming the electricity market in order to
guarantee a minimum price for low-carbon power generation, including
nuclear power. http://www.link2portal.com/new-nuclear-clears-licence-hurdle-edf-centrica

November 28, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, politics, UK