WEST Somerset has become the hot favourite to site the first of Britain’s next generation of nuclear power stations.British Energy has confirmed it is already looking for potential partners for new nuclear plants – and Hinkley Point, near Stogursey, is high on its list of prospective sites.
Planning permission was given for a Hinkley Point C station in the 1990s following a lengthy public inquiry into the plans, but the consent lapsed in 1997.
However, British Energy confirmed to The Crier that it still owns the land at Hinkley which was earmarked for the C station.
Company spokesman Martin Pearce said, however: “Any company seeking to build a new nuclear station would need to obtain completely new planning consent which would include a new public inquiry.”
British Energy also owns the Hinkley B station, where 650 people are employed, but it has been closed since last year for repairs to cracked boiler tubes.
Although Hinkley B is planned to be back online by the end of March, it will only run at 70 per cent capacity during a year-long trial to avoid further damage to the boiler tubes.
The station is currently scheduled for decommissioning in 2011.
The neighbouring Hinkley Point A station is already undergoing decommissioning, having closed seven years ago.
British Energy chief executive Bill Coley, in launching the search for partners to help build new nuclear power plants, said: “Construction of new nuclear power stations is critical to meeting the UK’s security of supply and climate change objectives.
“Electricity is essential to continued economic growth, jobs, and quality of life for the people of the UK today and into the future.
“As the major UK nuclear generator, British Energy has capabilities and assets important to providing the electricity we need.
“British Energy can make a valuable contribution to the country through a new nuclear generation programme and, in the process, create more UK jobs and drive shareholder value.”
Hinkley Point B photo submitted.
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