EDF launches Hinkley Point C project consultation

London – EDF Energy has launched a stage 2 public consultation process for its ’preferred proposals’ for the development of Hinkley Point C new nuclear power station. The discussion process will last for 12 weeks – from 9 July to 4 Oct.

EDF Energy will be seeking the views of local residents and organisations about its revised plans with partner Centrica, plans to build twin EPR reactors at the site next to the existing Hinkley Point power station.

The project, said EDF, will provide a £500 million-plus boost to the south west England economy, including employing up to 5,000 people on site during the construction phase of Hinkley Point C.

The company is to develop local skills and apprenticeships and it’s anticipated that the station will create 900 permanent jobs during the 60-year operation of the plant and inject a further £40 million per year into the local economy. It will also prepare local people for the new jobs by developing a construction skills centre in Sedgemoor and an apprenticeship skills hub in West Somerset.

According to EDF, the Hinkley C consultations are more extensive and wide-ranging than any other for a nuclear power station in this country. It will now use use state-of-the-art computer technology as well as traditional consultation tools to help ensure as many people as possible understand and can comment on the plans.

The proposals for the site and associated developments have evolved in several key areas from the ’Initial Proposals and Options’ outlined during Stage 1 of the public consultation held last winter, to reflect feedback from residents and local bodies.

Richard Mayson, EDF director of planning and external affairs for nuclear new build said: “I am determined that we will do our best to be a good neighbour. We will work with the community to minimise the impacts of the development and to ensure that our potential multi-billion pound investment delivers real opportunities for local people and businesses, as well as providing the nation with affordable low carbon electricity for five million homes.

“The views of local residents and businesses are important to us and a key element in the consultation process. The response and feedback we received through the first stage of our consultations has been very helpful in shaping our preferred proposals. Our plans have moved on and are now more detailed so I do hope people will take part again and share their views with us.

“We want to engage with as many people as possible in our plans for clean, affordable and secure nuclear power. Our Stage 2 consultation will use state of the art technology to help everyone understand and visualise our proposals as easily as possible.”