Nuclear progress as Hinkley Point C gains planning consent

Two new reactors will be built by EDF Energy, which the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) believes will support between 20,000 and 25,000 jobs during construction and 900 permanent jobs during operation.

Today’s decision follows the granting of a Nuclear Site Licence and the approval of the power station’s design by the UK nuclear safety authority and the award last week of key environmental permits by the Environment Agency.

Welcoming the decision, Nuclear Industry Association chief executive Keith Parker said, ‘This shovel ready project is on the brink of kick starting the nuclear renaissance in earnest.

‘Once operational, Hinkley Point C will generate enough reliable and low carbon electricity to power five million homes for 60 years.’

‘The whole of the UK will benefit from the creation of thousands of new jobs, as well as a strong industrial skills base and supply chain that will put the UK at the forefront of the global nuclear renaissance.’