The British nuclear regulator grants a site permit for the Sizewell C project. By Reuters

By Nina Chestney

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Office for Nuclear Regulation has granted a nuclear site license to the Sizewell C nuclear power project in southeast England, the Sizewell C company said on Tuesday.

It is the first permit for a nuclear site in more than ten years. The last was issued in 2012 to EDF’s (EPA:) Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant project in Somerset.

The project must meet the conditions attached to the permit for the design, construction, operation and decommissioning of the power plant.

Construction of the plant by French energy giant EDF, which can produce around 3.2 gigawatts of electricity, or enough to power around 6 million homes, was approved in July 2022.

“Securing a nuclear site license is a vote of confidence from our nuclear regulator that we have a suitable site, that we can deliver a safe design adopted from Hinkley Point C, and that we have a capable organization ready is ready to begin major construction work,” said Mina Golshan, director of safety, security and assurance at Sizewell C.

In January, the British government said it would invest an additional £1.3 billion in the project, making it the majority shareholder. A process is underway to attract private equity from investors.

“Achieving a nuclear site permit is a significant achievement and should inspire greater confidence among investors – bringing us one step closer to reaching a final investment decision this year,” said the UK Secretary for Nuclear and Renewable Energy , Andrew Bowie.