EDF Energy today announced several major steps in the construction of Hinkley Point C, after national policy decisions enabled further progress on the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK for over 20 years.
West Somerset District Council today gave the go ahead for work to prepare the site at Hinkley Point C. The preparatory works will create up to 500 jobs, the majority of which will be for local people in Somerset.
The decision demonstrates real progress for Hinkley Point C and follows the publication of the White Paper on Electricity Market Reform on 12 July and ratification of the National Policy Statement for Nuclear by Parliament on 18 July.
EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: "July has been a major month for nuclear new build. As a result of the steps taken by Parliament and the local authority, EDF Energy is able to take immediate action to move the project forward significantly.
"This includes submitting, tomorrow (29 July), applications for a Nuclear Site Licence and for environmental permits necessary to operate a nuclear power station, and progressing the procurement of some major components.
"These are significant milestones. They demonstrate that we are progressing and delivering, while we also carry out the work to incorporate learnings from Japan and from our other new build projects internationally.
"There is still a lot to be done, including, among other steps; our application to the Infrastructure Planning Commission which will be submitted later this year, and
finalising details of the Contracts for Difference, which are a key component of the Electricity Market Reform announced on 12 July.
"Nonetheless, today is an important step on the road. We are extremely grateful for the consent given by the West Somerset councillors, with the support of Sedgemoor District and Somerset County Councillors. They have taken a major decision enabling a project which is vital to the country. It demonstrates the importance of local democracy. We are committed to listen to the community and to deliver this investment in partnership with the people of Somerset."
Works to prepare the site include fencing and site excavation. The programme of work has been planned to keep disruption to local communities to a minimum and includes commitments for more than £25m worth of measures to mitigate the impact of the new build project.
The permission to carry out the work includes a range of conditions developed in discussion between EDF Energy and the council. The company is also working closely with the local authorities, residents and businesses to ensure that Somerset benefits fully from the £100m per year expected to be injected into the local economy each year during construction.
Speaking of West Somerset District Council's decision, director of planning and external affairs for nuclear new build Richard Mayson said: "We warmly welcome this decision, which follows detailed discussions and a lot of hard work over many months. We are grateful for the positive dialogue we've had with the Councils, local residents, organisations and businesses that have shaped the proposals."
