Engineering news
Forward steps have been taken toward the construction of the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, following parliament's ratification of the national policy statements for energy earlier this month.
EDF said West Somerset District Council had given the go-ahead for preparatory works at Hinkley Point C, which are expected to create up to 500 jobs, the majority of which will be taken up by local people, EDF said.
The energy giant will be working with French nuclear reactor maker Areva, which said it had signed a deal to begin manufacturing forgings for the EPR reactor in Somerset, the first new nuclear reactor for more than 20 years. The same design is currently being built in France, Finland and China.
EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: “We are committed to listen to thecommunity and to deliver this investment in partnership with the people of Somerset... 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.”
The deal to supply forgings is viewed by EDF as a key initial step as it looks to build new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point and Sizewell in Suffolk. Areva boss Luc Oursel said: “This agreement confirms the UK's commitment to promote nuclear power, a sustainable, economically-viable and low-carbon energy source. It represents a milestone for Areva’s new build projects in the country.”
Areva's EPR reactor is currently undergoing the generic design assessment process along with rival Westinghouse, which is bidding to build its AP1000 design in Britain.
Areva, along with Westinghouse, is in commercial discussions with Horizon Nuclear Power and NuGeneration. It hopes it could supply up to six additional EPR reactors.
Hinkley Point A was decommissioned in 2000 and Hinkley Point B is due to close in 2016. By the next decade it is hoped that the new reactors at Hinkley Point and Sizewell C could produce as much as 13% of the UK's electricity.