Vincent de Rivaz calls for ‘continued progress on all aspects of new build’ at Nuclear Development Forum
EDF Energy welcomed today’s announcement by the Government on the progress it is making on the development of the framework for investment in nuclear new build.
Secretary of State Ed Miliband is expected to explain to industry leaders the steps the Government is taking on site selection, skills and the NII (Nuclear Installations Inspectorate) at today’s meeting of the Nuclear Development Forum, which will be attended by EDF Energy Chief Executive Vincent de Rivaz.
Mr de Rivaz will say to the Nuclear Development Forum that EDF Energy will ensure all the potential new build sites it owns in England and Wales are nominated to the Government’s Strategic Siting Assessment (SSA) process.
He will say: “We welcome the Government’s announcement today which is a further step in paving the way for the significant investment this country needs. It provides clarity on the process to be followed for site selection.
“Sites selection is a vital element of the framework for new build, but just one of a number of pieces that must be put in place if we are to address the urgent energy challenges the country faces. It is important there is continued progress in the development of all aspects of the framework, also including reactor design assessment, planning and waste and decommissioning policy.
“Subject to a robust investment framework being put in place in the right timescales, EDF Energy intends to build four new EPR nuclear reactors in the UK, with the first to be operational by the end of 2017.”
EDF Energy owns land potentially suitable for new build at seven sites in England and Wales, the nations covered by the SSA process.
EDF Energy intends to nominate the following sites:
- Hinkley Point in Somerset
- Sizewell in Suffolk
- Heysham in Lancashire
- Hartlepool on Teesside
- Dungeness in Kent
In addition, EDF Energy owns land at Bradwell in Essex and at Wylfa on Anglesey which the NDA has said it will nominate. EDF Energy will work with the NDA to ensure appropriate nominations are made.
EDF Energy has indicated that would like to build its four EPRs at Sizewell and Hinkley Point, with two reactors at each site.
The company has entered into agreements with the Government and with the European Commission to sell land at three sites. One site at either Heysham or Dungeness will be sold without conditions, atthe option of the purchaser. Land at both Wylfa and Bradwell will be sold, subject to certain conditions relating to EDF Energy making progress on its plans for four EPRs elsewhere.
We believe all our sites have good potential for new build and will be nominating all those covered by the SSA process to ensure they continue to be potential development sites for ourselves or others.
Any new build at the sites would follow a full planning application process including appropriate consultation with the local community.
EDF Energy and British Energy, which was acquired by EDF earlier this month, have been consulting with the communities around the sites over the last twelve months on the possibility and prospects for new build.
In addition, a range of environmental, marine, transmission system and other studies have been carried out to determine their suitability and prepare them as candidates for replacement nuclear generation.
The company has also secured transmission connection agreements with National Grid for Hinkley Point, Dungeness, Bradwell, Wylfa and Sizewell - for grid access in the period from 2016 onwards.
EDF Energy has indicated that would like to build its four EPRs at Sizewell and Hinkley Point, with two reactors at each site.
The company has entered into agreements with the Government and with the European Commission to sell land at three sites. One site at either Heysham or Dungeness will be sold without conditions, atthe option of the purchaser. Land at both Wylfa and Bradwell will be sold, subject to certain conditions relating to EDF Energy making progress on its plans for four EPRs elsewhere.
We believe all our sites have good potential for new build and will be nominating all those covered by the SSA process to ensure they continue to be potential development sites for ourselves or others.
Any new build at the sites would follow a full planning application process including appropriate consultation with the local community.
EDF Energy and British Energy, which was acquired by EDF earlier this month, have been consulting with the communities around the sites over the last twelve months on the possibility and prospects for new build.
In addition, a range of environmental, marine, transmission system and other studies have been carried out to determine their suitability and prepare them as candidates for replacement nuclear generation.
The company has also secured transmission connection agreements with National Grid for Hinkley Point, Dungeness, Bradwell, Wylfa and Sizewell - for grid access in the period from 2016 onwards.
Notes to Editors
The combination of EDF Energy and British Energy forms one of the UK’s largest energy companies. The combined business is the UK’s largest producer of electricity. With a current installed capacity of around 16.5GW, we produce almost one-quarter of the nation's electricity from our nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms.
We provide power to a quarter of the UK’s population via our electricity distribution networks in London, the South East and the East of England and supply gas and electricity to over 5.5 million business and residential customers.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments we have launched the biggest environmental and social packages of any UK energy company. The company is also a key player in national infrastructure projects including management of private electricity networks serving four London airports and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the country’s first major new railway in 100 years.
EDF Energy and British Energy together employ nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK. The combined companies are part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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