EDF Energy is developing proposals for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C, on a site immediately to the west of the existing Hinkley Point power stations in Somerset.
Hinkley Point is situated on the Severn Estuary approximately five miles from Bridgwater and the M5 to the south, 15 miles from Minehead in the west and roughly six miles from Burnham-on-Sea.
The site would be used for:
- Power station complex;
- Construction area and materials storage (to be restored and landscaped once construction is complete);
- Temporary jetty; and
- Land at south of site for screen planting and emergency access route.
The site has been chosen by EDF Energy because it is:
- One of the sites identified in the draft National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power Generation as potentially suitable for new nuclear development;
- Close to the existing nuclear power stations;
- Able to access cooling water from the sea;
- Close to National Grid's high voltage electricity transmission system;
- Mainly outside designated areas of ecological importance;
- Protected from coastal flooding by the height of the land; and
- Able to utilise existing road access to the site.
EDF Energy has carried out consultation on its proposals for the main site and associated development to support the construction and operation of the power station, the details of which can be found on this website.
In its revised draft National Policy Statement on nuclear power generation, the Government identified Hinkley Point as one of eight UK sites potentially suitable for new nuclear power stations.
The safety and security of the European Pressurised Water Reactors we are proposing to build at Hinkley Point C will be considered under the Generic Design Assessment process, undertaken jointly by the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency, and by the nuclear site license process.
EDF Energy submitted its application to the Infrastructure Planning Commission on 31 October 2011.
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