Benefits to communities hosting new nuclear

Nuclear Industry Association | Nuclear Industry Association

2 min read17 July 2013 Partner content

The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) has today (17 July) welcomed the Government's announcement of the package of benefits that will be available to local communities hosting new nuclear power stations.

The funds, which in the case of the area around Hinkley Point C in Somerset could be worth up to £128 million, recognise the impact of hosting such large scale infrastructure projects of national importance. They will be used to provide long term social and economic benefits to communities around new power stations.

You can read the Government's announcement in full at the Inside Government website.

Three companies have plans to build power stations on five sites across the UK. EDF Energy plans to build at two sites, Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk; Horizon Nuclear Power is moving ahead with their plans at Wylfa in North Wales and at Oldbury in Gloucestershire; and NuGeneration Ltd plans to build some 3.6 GW at their Moorside site in West Cumbria. Each of these new sites is adjacent to an existing nuclear site.

Chief Executive of the NIA Keith Parker said:

“We are pleased with the Government's announcement today that local communities hosting new nuclear build projects will receive community benefits.

“Large scale investment in electricity infrastructure is urgently required to replace existing plants, ensure security of supply and meet our climate change targets. It is absolutely right that the local communities hosting these projects of national importance should receive long term incentives to promote investment in their areas.

“The nuclear industry today already employs more than 60,000 people and a major nuclear new build programme will lead to substantial industrial and employment benefits. The nuclear new build programme could generate up to 40,000 jobs, and as the first station, Hinkley Point C alone will create around 5,600 jobs on site at peak and 400 new apprenticeships – as well as contributing substantially to security of supply and the reduction of CO² emissions.”