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EDF Energy welcomes IPC acceptance of Hinkley Point C Development Consent Order Application
EDF Energy welcomes today‟s confirmation by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) that its application for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset, and associated development, has been accepted and will now be taken forward for examination. …Read more.

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Hinkley Point C

EDF Energy plans to invest in a multi-billion pound project in Somerset over the next decade. Approximately one-third of the investment is planned for the nuclear reactor island with the remaining two-thirds required for associated construction and civil engineering works as well as aligned activity such as business services.

As part of its procurement strategy for Hinkley Point C, EDF Energy have partnered with the Somerset Chamber of Commerce to identify and support local businesses that want to become part of the supply chain. The Somerset Chamber is the first point of contact for local business and agencies wishing to engage in the construction of this proposed nuclear new build project. This website forms the central resource for all Somerset businesses who wish to make the most of the opportunities arising out of the development. From these pages your company will be able to:

• Register your interest in supplying the project by completing a short online form. Your capabilities will be made available to EDF Energy and interested Tier 1 contractors
• Update your company details as your company develops its capabilities and standards.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments including build schedules and contracts out for tender via regular e-updates.
• Access a library of reference material and training documents.
• Engage with others on technical and business training events and information days designed by the Chamber and its partners to help local businesses get ready for the opportunities.
• Meet one-to-one with Tier1 contractors for the Hinkley Project through a series of Meet the Buyer days.

For businesses located outside the Somerset  local area EDF Energy have also arranged supplier portals for the proposed new build at Sizewell in Suffolk and for business based elsewhere in the UK. Please click here to access this site.

EDF Energy welcomes IPC acceptance of Hinkley Point C Development Consent Order Application (24 Nov 2011)

EDF Energy welcomes today‟s confirmation by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) that its application for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset, and associated development, has been accepted and will now be taken forward for examination.

The IPC has published the Development Consent Order application on its website – http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/projects/south-west/hinkley-point-c-new-nuclear-power-station/

Printed copies will shortly be made available for public inspection at EDF Energy‟s Bridgwater Office, West Somerset and Sedgemoor District Council offices and at Taunton Library on behalf of Somerset County Council. A „navigation document‟ has been produced to accompany the documentation to assist people in reviewing the detailed submission.

Now that the application has been accepted, EDF Energy will publish notices in local and national newspapers to explain how and when to register interest in the application and make formal representations to the IPC.
The examination and decision making process is expected to take about a year.
In addition to EDF Energy and Centrica‟s plans to build and operate two nuclear reactors capable of producing low carbon electricity for five million homes, the submission includes plans for:

• A £20m community fund to be spent locally on a range of community initiatives,
• A £5m housing fund to support housing for the local area through refurbishment of vacant or substandard properties and to provide loans to help local people get onto the housing ladder,
• Funds totalling £40 million to provide skills and training, environmental, education, leisure, health and emergency services and to contribute to other road improvements in Bridgwater,
• Four park and ride facilities, two freight management facilities, refurbishment of a wharf, a temporary jetty and a programme of highways improvements, as part of a transport strategy designed to reduce traffic on local roads,
• A bypass to the west of Cannington, and
• An on-site accommodation campus and two accommodation campuses in Bridgwater for construction workers

The application, which was submitted by EDF Energy to the IPC on 31 October, is the culmination of three years of extensive informal engagement and formal consultation. During the formal consultation, EDF Energy directly engaged with almost 6,500 consultees, held 34 public exhibitions and 67 meetings with local authorities and other stakeholder groups, and attracted 109,000 visitors to its project website. More than 2,000 formal responses were received, from which 33,000 comments were processed in a detailed consultation report, which forms part of the application.

The feedback from consultation helped EDF Energy to improve its plans, better to reflect the needs and wishes of local people. Changes include: smaller accommodation campuses for workers; relocating a park and ride site near Williton; smaller park and ride sites at Cannington and Williton and dropping plans for accommodation campuses at those locations; improved landscaping; moving the construction boundary further away from local homes; new transport schemes; increased community support and voluntary noise mitigation schemes in some communities.

EDF Energy Chief Executive, Vincent de Rivaz said: This submission follows one of the largest consultations of its kind. We hope that the quality and comprehensiveness of our application will help to set a benchmark for others proposing major infrastructure projects. Our plans for Hinkley Point C comprise a project representing an investment in British infrastructure of the same order as the London 2012 Olympics.
“Earlier this year we saw the National Policy Statements establish the key planning framework for the consenting processes for new nuclear, both nationally and locally. They provide the bodies involved with a clear legal and political basis to develop nuclear as part of the transition to a low carbon energy system.
“The acceptance of our application today is another major milestone as we move ahead with our new nuclear build programme. However, we move ahead alongside the community that we‟re a part of and we will continue to consult and listen in the spirit of openness and transparency that is at the cornerstone of our commitments.

“Over the next 12 months as we move closer to making our final investment decision, we will continue to develop the supply chain and continue our work to cultivate the skills and training that will transform the nuclear industry in the UK to become a world leader.”

Richard Mayson, EDF Energy‟s Director of Planning and External Affairs, Nuclear New Build said:
“We approach this project with great awareness of our responsibility – to local communities, to our customers, to the government, and to our shareholders. We have undertaken one of the largest consultation programmes ever carried out in this country and we have carefully considered every comment we have received. We have made changes to a number of aspects – including employee accommodation and traffic proposals – to reflect local concerns, and have put in place mitigation measures.
“As with any project of this scale and complexity, we have not been able to satisfy everyone with our proposals. However we have presented and explained our proposals and changed some aspects of our plans as a direct result of our consultation with local people and explained why it has not been possible to change other aspects which may have been requested. We are very grateful to everyone who participated in our consultation and for their contribution to the process which has helped to shape our plans.”

EDF Energy submits Nuclear Site Licence and key Environmental Permit Applications for Hinkley Point C

EDF Energy has submitted a Nuclear Site Licence application to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Environmental Permit applications to the Environment Agency in support of the company’s proposals to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.

Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, Managing Director of Nuclear New Build said: “This is a significant milestone for EDF Energy’s project at Hinkley Point and for the industry as a whole. It is the first time in around 20 years that applications have been made for a licence and environmental permits for a new nuclear power plant and follows West Somerset District Council’s decision, yesterday, to approve work to prepare the site at Hinkley Point.

“Hinkley Point C is a nationally important project, which will provide safe, reliable, affordable and low carbon energy to about five million homes.  We are delighted to be leading the UK’s nuclear renaissance.”

The applications have been made in advance of applying for full planning permission for the new power station and associated development from the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC).

This enables early regulatory oversight and allows the regulators sufficient time to make thorough assessments of the applications before advising the IPC on EDF Energy’s capability to become a nuclear site licensee and competent permit holder.

A Nuclear Site Licence is issued by the Chief Inspector at the ONR on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive. It is one of the pre-requisites allowing the licensee to build, commission, operate and decommission a civil nuclear power station.

The NSL application itself contains submissions describing and demonstrating the company’s organisation and management structure and processes.  While there is no legal requirement to publish these documents, EDF Energy is doing so as part of its commitment to be open and transparent.

Once they have all the information they require to determine them, the Environment Agency will undertake public consultation on the operational environmental permits that EDF Energy has applied for.  These include a Radioactive Substances Regulation Environmental Permit, which sets limits on the safe and controlled discharge and disposal of small amounts of low-level radioactive liquids, gaseous and solid wastes from the operation of the facility.

The company is also applying for a Combustion Activity Environmental Permit which regulates discharges from the operation of standby diesel generators.

The Nuclear Site Licence can be viewed on EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point C project website at   www.edfenergyconsultation.info/nslandepa and the environmental permit documents will also be uploaded in due course.

Support from Somerset

The Chamber of Commerce has been appointed by EDF Energy as the first point of contact for Somerset business wishing to engage with this project. The Chamber is the hub of business influence for Somerset and is leading on a number of high profile countywide initiatives for business, including the recent development of the County’s Local Enterprise Partnership bid to Government, which includes a drive towards a low-carbon economy. If you would like to find out more please visit www.somerset-chamber.co.uk .