EDF Starts Bid to Build Hinkley Point C Nuclear Plant

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--EDF Energy has moved ahead with plans to construct the first nuclear power plant in the U.K. for more than 20 years.

Last week, the U.K. arm of Electricite de France (EPA:EDF) (Paris) received the go ahead for preparatory work to start at the Hinkley Point C site from West Somerset District Council, and it has followed that up by applying for the licences needed to build, commission, operate and decommission a nuclear power station. Specifically, with its partner Centrica plc (OTC:CPYYY) (Windsor, England), the company has applied for a Nuclear Site Licence, to be assessed by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), alongside applications for Environmental Permits, to be assessed by the Environment Agency.

The company claimed that its decision to forge ahead quickly with the project was in large part subject to the publication of the White Paper on Electricity Market Reform on July 12 and ratification of the National Policy Statement for Nuclear by Parliament on July 18.

"July has been a major month for nuclear new build," stated EDF Energy Chief Executive, Vincent de Rivaz. "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 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."

He added: "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."

EDF's ability to deliver new nuclear power projects on time and within budget has come under fire again in recent weeks, following admissions from the company that its troubled new nuclear plant build at Flamanville, in France is going to be delayed another two years until 2016 and will cost almost double the original amount. The Flamanville 3 plant in Normandy was originally due to open in 2012 and cost €3.3 billion ($4.7 billion), but that cost has now soared to €6 billion ($8.6 billion). For additional information, see July 25, 2011, article - French Nuclear Project Delayed Until 2016. EDF hopes to have Hinkley Point C operational by 2018.

EDF Energy will submit its Development Consent Order for the power station to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) later this year. The company has already signed a contract with Areva SA (EPA:CEI) (Paris, France) to begin the forging process for some of the main reactor components.

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