New Nuclear

The UK must adopt a regulated asset base model (RAB) to kickstart investment in nuclear development, or risk the country missing its target to be net zero by 2050, proponents of the financing mechanism say. A RAB model for financing could attract pension funds, insurance firms, sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure asset managers to shore up French utility EDF’s funds and carry a new nuclear project through to completion, industry experts told Montel. The UK’s plans to build new nuclear infrastructure in the country have stalled against a backdrop of political reticence to commit, spiralling costs associated with Hinkley Point C, which EDF is building, and the steady retreat of potential investors. “We’re looking at RAB to get [new nuclear] off the ground. Without RAB, it’s not going to happen,” said Juan Matthews, visiting professor at the Dalton Nuclear Institute and advisor to the UK Trade & Investment department on nuclear investment.

Montel 18th Jan 2021 read more »

Energy giant EDF has been urged to do more to help get the A12 ‘four villages’ bypass back on the agenda as part of its proposals for the development of Sizewell C. Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dan Poulter has written to the boss of EDF, which hopes to build the new two-reactor power station on the coast, suggesting that a new offer to help fund the bypass could ease some of the opposition to the proposal locally.

East Anglian Daily Times 17th Jan 2021 read more »

A NATIONAL law firm has supported one of it’s clients to help it win a major contract with Hinkley Point C. Lawyers specialising in energy generation from Clarke Wilmott LLP worked with a subsidiary of the group – Ingersoll Rand Air Solutions Hibon S.A.R.L – to secure the contract to design, manufacture, transport and install seven TEP TEU compressors to HPC for waste processing along with support and commissioning, under FIDIC contract arrangements. Clarke Willmott construction partner Zoe Stollard was brought in to support Ingersoll Rand Air Solutions through the contract process and was instructed to act on their behalf.

Bridgwater Mercury 16th Jan 2021 read more »

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a public consultation on the design of the reactor intended for the proposed new nuclear power station at Bradwell. Running until 4 April, the online exercise is being conducted as part of the EA’s Generic Design Assessment (GDA) of the new reactor, the UK HPR1000. The GDA is not part of the planning application process as such, but is complementary to it and is an essential step in the path to the Planning Inspectorate’s decision on the proposed Bradwell B plant. Bradwell B Chief Executive Alan Rayment said: “We welcome the Environment Agency’s announcement of its public consultation. “It is an important step in the assessment of the reactor for the UK, and consequently in being able to build the reactor at Bradwell B should we receive all necessary consents and permissions. I encourage everyone to review the information the EA has released and take part in the consultation.”

Maldon Nub News 14th Jan 2021 read more »

The Environment Agency and Natural England have raised concerns that design changes made to the proposed £20bn Sizewell C nuclear power plant will be rushed through without adequate time to be evaluated. Sizewell C developer EDF has submitted design changes to The Planning Inspectorate, after feedback from earlier rounds of consultation on the environmental impact of the project. Design changes include increasing rail and sea deliveries during construction to reduce the number of HGVs on Suffolk’s local roads. EDF also plans to reduce the use of AONB land on the Sizewell estate by working closely with Sizewell A, which is being decommissioned, and by using existing land within the Sizewell nuclear licensed area for critical buildings that need to be moved to allow construction to get underway. In addition, a proposed new design to the crossing over the Sizewell Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) will result in less of the SSSI being used for the project. Additional land for the creation of fen meadow to compensate for the loss of fen meadow land has also been identified.

New Civil Engineer 14th Jan 2021 read more »

The planning application for Suffolk’s proposed new nuclear power station, Sizewell C, has been changed. EDF Energy, the company in charge of the project, has faced criticism from many local residents and politicians. Changes include reducing the number of deliveries by road and increasing deliveries by rail and sea. EDF claims this move will take 150 HGV’s off local roads. The company has also cut back on the amount of natural land that would be used and fen meadow that is being lost to construction will be replaced. As part of the project 1,500 local students will be able to get an apprenticeship on the site.

ITV 13th Jan 2021 read more »