Press release

New nuclear power station gets planning permission

Planning consent announcement for construction of the first new nuclear power station in the UK since 1995.

• From: Department of Energy & Climate Change and The Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP
• Published: 19 March 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Press release 2013/027

Planning consent was given today for construction of the first new nuclear power station in the UK since 1995, in a boost to the move to a low carbon energy mix.

The planned multi-billion pound project at Hinkley Point, Somerset – to be operated by NNB Generation - will generate enough low carbon electricity to power the equivalent of five million households, making it one of the largest power stations in the UK.

Two new reactors will be built, supporting between 20,000 and 25,000 jobs during construction and 900 permanent jobs during operation.

Edward Davey, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said:

“The planning decision to give consent to Hinkley Point follows a rigorous examination from the Planning Inspectorate, and detailed analysis within my Department.

“I am confident that the planning decision I have made is robust, evidence-based, compatible with the Energy National Policy Statements and is in the best interests of the country.

“It’s vital to get investment in new infrastructure to get the economy moving. Low carbon energy projects will bring major investment, supporting jobs and driving growth.

“This planned project adds to a number of new energy projects consented since May 2010, including wind farms and biomass and gas-fired power stations.

“This planned new nuclear power station in Somerset will generate vast amounts of clean energy and enhance our energy security. It will benefit the local economy, through direct employment, the supply chain and the use of local services.”

Notes for editors:

1. The full decision document is available on the national infrastructure planning portal
2. More information on new nuclear in the UK
3. The Government’s Energy National Policy Statement and Nuclear Policy Statement were ratified in July 2011
4. Sizewell B in Suffolk started generating on 14 February 1995. See the EDF British Energy website
5. Nuclear New Build (NNB) Generation is a subsidiary of EDF Energy, which is tasked with the delivery of the new generation of nuclear plant in line with EDF’s global programme of producing safe, affordable, reliable, low-carbon production of electricity in the UK.
6. The Government is in on-going discussions with NNB Generation over the financial terms of the Hinkley Point C project. Ministers have made clear that any deal will need to be interest of the consumer. Any agreement reached will be laid before Parliament, and will include details of the Strike Price.
7. In addition to this project, 11.4GW of new generating capacity has been consented since May 2010.

Published 19 March 2013