But EDF Energy no longer promising final investment decision this year
Construction of the UK鈥檚 first nuclear power station in decades took a step forward today as the industry regulator approved its design.
The design for the EPR reactor, which EDF is proposing to use for both its reactors at its new power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset, was given the green light by the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency this morning.
Site specific licences for the project are yet to be awarded and will require further assessment by the regulator.
Colin Patchett, acting chief inspector of nuclear installations at the Office for Nuclear Regulation, said the reactor 鈥渕et the high standards we insist upon鈥�.
Vicent de Rivaz, chief executive of EDF Energy, said the granting of permission 鈥渞epresents four years of hard work鈥�. He added: 鈥淚t allows our project have a stable design before we start, offering a huge boost for the predictability.鈥�
But EDF have yet to make their final investment decision on the plant and de Rivaz said this would be at the 鈥渆arliest possible date鈥� 鈥� a change from statements in recent month in which EDF had said it expected to make a decision before the end of the year.
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