Plans for a major new nuclear power station in Wales have taken a crucial step forward as UK regulators approved the project. The Office for Nuclear Regulation and two other government bodies gave the green light on Thursday for the Japanese reactor design for Horizon Nuclear Power’s plant at Wylfa, marking the end of a five-year regulatory process. Duncan Hawthorne, Horizon’s chief executive, said: “This is a huge milestone for Horizon and a major leap forward for us in bringing much-needed new nuclear power to the UK.” Attention will now turn to financing the Hitachi-backed project on the island of Anglesey, which was the site of Britain’s oldest nuclear plant until it closed two years ago. During a visit by UK ministers to Japan last December, it emerged that London and Tokyo were considering public financing for Wylfa. This would be a significant break with the UK government’s previous approach. Hitachi has already spent £2bn on development. Last week the consortium said it needed a financial support package by mid-2018 or it could stop funding development. Mark Foy, chief nuclear inspector at the Office for Nuclear Regulation, sa id: “The completion of the generic design assessment of the UK ABWR is a significant step in our regulation of the overall process to construct this type of reactor in the UK, ensuring that the generic design meets the highest standards of safety that we expect in this country.”
Guardian 14th Dec 2017 read more »
Hitachi’s Horizon Nuclear Power unit expects to see an outline from Britain’s government in the first half of next year on how it will help finance a nuclear project in Wales, the company said on Thursday. Britain is seeking new ways to fund nuclear projects after criticism over a deal awarded to France’s EDF to build the first nuclear plant in Britain for 20 years, which could cost consumers 30 billion pounds ($40 billion).
Reuters 14th Dec 2017 read more »
GDA of Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy Ltd’s UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor: final assessment reports. The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have published 11 updated assessment reports and an independent dose assessment alongside their decision document. In reaching their decision, they have identified 17 assessment findings. They expect future operators to address the findings during the detailed design, procurement, construction or commissioning phase of any new build project. There are no unresolved generic design assessment (GDA) issues.
Environment Agency 14th Dec 2017 read more »
Office for Nuclear Regulation gives Hitachi the green light for its reactor designs, marking a “major leap” forward for planned nuclear plants on Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn. Plans to develop a major new nuclear power station on Anglesey took a major step forward yesterday with the news that the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has approved the designs for the new reactors. Hitachi-backed consortium Horizon Nuclear Power hopes to build and operate two of the new reactors, designed by Hitachi, at Wylfa Newydd on Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in South Gloucestershire. The ONR said it was satisfied that Hitachi’s designs for an Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) meets regulatory expectations for safety, security and environmental protections. The decision marks the end of a five-year regulatory process.
Business Green 14th Dec 2017 read more »
Plans for two new nuclear power stations have taken a “major leap forward” after a reactor design was approved by regulators. The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) gave the green light for an advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) designed by Hitachi planned for Horizon Nuclear Power’s plants at Wylfa on Anglesey and in Oldbury-on-Severn in South Gloucestershire.
Belfast Telegraph 14th Dec 2017 read more »
World Nuclear News 14th Dec 2017 read more »
BBC 14th Dec 2017 read more »
Wylfa Newydd’s nuclear reactors have received the green light from regulators. The UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (UK ABWR), designed by Hitachi-GE is suitable for construction in the UK, the regulators confirmed following completion of an in-depth assessment of the nuclear reactor design.
Daily Post 14th Dec 2017 read more »
The developers behind Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant in have put forward proposals to clear around 121 hectares at the Welsh site, despite not yet having planning permission for the plant. It comes as the Office for Nuclear Regulation approved Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe’s advanced-boiling water reactor (ABWR) design. Developer Horizon Nuclear Power (HNP) can now use the reactor at Wylfa Newydd. HNP has submitted plans to Anglesey County Council to carry out site clearance work, such as demolishing existing buildings and vegetation, in preparation for the two-reactor, 2,700MW power plant. HNP believes doing the work now would reduce construction time for Wylfa by about 18 months. If permission is granted by Anglesey County Council, work is expected to start early next year and take around 15 months to complete. A spokesperson for HNP said: ”By doing this work now – before we receive the final planning permission for Wylfa Newydd – we’re able to reduce overall construction time by around 18 months, while also limiting the environmental impacts which would occur if the clearance works took place at the same time as other construction activities.”
New Civil Engineer 15th Dec 2017 read more »
