OUR SITES
As we go through the process of identifying, assessing and developing sites for new nuclear power stations, we are committed to the highest levels of engagement and consultation with communities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level.
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The Government set out a process for nominating potential sites for new nuclear power stations known as Strategic Siting Assessment (SSA). Information about the SSA process can be found at: https://www.energynpsconsultation.decc.gov.uk/.
We have acquired land at Wylfa, on the Island of Anglesey, North Wales and at Oldbury-on-Severn, South Gloucestershire as part of a competitive process run by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). In March 2009 we nominated both sites into the SSA.
Following publication of a draft Nuclear National Policy Statement in November 2009, the Government published its full Nuclear NPS in June 2011 containing a list of eight sites it believes are strategically suitable for new nuclear build. Oldbury and Wylfa are listed. The Nuclear NPS, along with its list of sites, was approved by a vote in Parliament on 18th July. Details of the NPS can be found at the website above.
The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) was created under the Planning Act 2008. The IPC is an independent body which will grant or deny planning permission for all Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects (NSIPs), which includes new nuclear build. Feedback from public and statutory engagement and consultation will have a large input to the detailed Consents Applications and Environmental Statements for both sites.
Strategic Sting Assessment Timeline
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) set out the following processes for the development of a new nuclear power station:
31st March 2009
Deadline for nomination of sites wishing to be considered within the Strategic Siting Assessment process.
15th April 2009
List of sites nominated by energy companies and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority published by the Government. At this stage the public had one month to give initial comments, prior to further consultation later in the year.
Summer / Autumn 2009
The Government assessed each location to decide if it met a number of suitability criteria.
9th November 2009
Draft list of ten sites potentially suitable for new nuclear build published for public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny as part of the Nuclear NPS: Bradwell (Essex); Braystones (Cumbria); Hartlepool (Borough of Hartlepool, Tees Valley); Heysham (Lancashire); Hinkley Point (Somerset); Kirksanton (Cumbria); Oldbury (Gloucestershire); Sellafield (Cumbria); Sizewell (Suffolk); Wylfa (Anglesey).
22nd February 2010
The public consultation closed and Parliament continued to examine the proposals. Government considered the responses received, and in the light of these amended the draft Nuclear National Policy Statement (NPS).
18th October 2010
The Government consulted on the second draft of the energy NPSs. This incorporated a number of changes to the initial draft of the Nuclear NPS, involving a reduction in the number of sites deemed potentially suitable for new nuclear build to eight. The revised list continued to include Horizon’s sites at Wylfa and Oldbury. The NPSs also underwent Parliamentary scrutiny via an enquiry in the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee.
24th January 2011
The second phase of consultation came to an end, allowing Government to consider the responses submitted. The draft Nuclear NPS will be amended as needed, finalised by Parliament and then formally agreed (designated), with a final list of potentially suitable sites included.
23rd June 2011
The Government published its Nuclear NPS containing a list of eight sites, including Oldbury and Wylfa, it believes are strategically suitable for nuclear new build.
18th July 2011
The Nuclear NPS was debated in Parliament and approved by Parliamentary vote.
What happens next?
Following formal designation of the Nuclear NPS, developers may apply to the Infrastructure Planning Commission for planning permission to develop a new nuclear power station. Before making an application, a developer would be expected to conduct an extensive environmental impact assessment and consultation with affected communities. We anticipate that Horizon’s first new nuclear station would be generating around 2020. More information on the Government's energy NPSs can be found on the DECC website.
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