NIA welcomes the publication of DECC’s consultation on the application for Regulatory Justification of the UK ABWR
The NIA welcomes the publication of DECC’s consultation on the application for Regulatory Justification of the UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (UK ABWR).
An important step has been taken in the UK’s planned new nuclear build programme with DECC’s publication of a public consultation on the Nuclear Industry Association’s Justification application to the Secretary of State for the UK ABWR technology.
A decision is being sought from the Secretary of State that the UK ABWR technology, designed by Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd. (Hitachi-GE), is justified, to progress the nuclear new build programme. This involves a high-level assessment, weighing the benefits of the UK ABWR technology against any potential radiological health detriments.
As with our Justification application in 2008 for the AP1000 and EPR reactors, this application concludes that the significant security of supply and carbon reduction benefits of the UK ABWR, outweighs the limited potential for any radiological health detriments.
The Justification assessment must be carried out before new build of the UK ABWR commences and is a process required to meet the European Union’s Basic Safety Standards Directive. The Justification process is generic and any site specific new build projects for the UK ABWR will require full regulatory approvals including those relating to safety, environmental and planning consents before they can go ahead.
The NIA, which represents some 270 nuclear companies based in the UK, is making the application supported by Horizon and Hitachi-GE.
NIA Chief Executive Keith Parker said: “We are pleased that DECC has now published its initial consultation on our application – we will be following the process closely ahead of the Secretary of State’s draft decision.”
“We believe our comprehensive application makes a very strong case that the significant benefits of new nuclear power outweigh any possible radiological health detriments – we look forward to feedback from stakeholders.”
Alan Raymant, Chief Operating Officer of Horizon Nuclear Power said: "We welcome this progress on the NIA's application for the UK ABWR Regulatory Justification. This is central to Horizon's plans to develop new nuclear power facilities at Wylfa and Oldbury.”
“We look forward to working with the NIA and Government to ensure that we can move forward with this important regulatory step."
