The permits have been issued following a decision making process by the Environment Agency that began in summer 2011 and included extensive public consultation.
As a result, NNB Generation Company (NNB GenCo), the vehicle developing the new plant, has now been given clearance to:
- Discharge and dispose of radioactive wastes;
- Discharge cooling water and liquid effluents into the Bristol Channel; and
- Operate standby power supply systems using diesel generators.
Brian Payne, the Environment Agency’s Hinkley Point C project manager, said “The environmental permits we’ve issued for Hinkley Point C set limits and conditions that will ensure people and the environment will be properly protected. I’d like to thank all who responded to our public consultations. We’ve carefully considered all of the comments we
received and the documents we are publishing today explain our decisions.”
EDF Hinkley Point C project director Chris Bakken said: "These permits are important for the safe and environmentally responsible operation of the power station. Receiving these permits from the Environment Agency is an important milestone for the project. They represent a huge effort from the project team and the teams at the Environment Agency to complete the rigorous assessments required. Having the permits in place this early in the project provides us with the clarity we need to build the processes which will underpin the highest standards of environmental performance from the very start of operation of the plant.”
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