NNB Generation Company (Sizewell C) Limited applied for 3 environmental permits that it would need to operate its proposed new nuclear power station at Sizewell, Suffolk.
We consulted on the applications from July to October 2020 and on our proposed decision and draft permits from July to September 2022.
When we consulted, we explained that the consultations were not about the need for nuclear power, UK energy policy or policy relating to the siting of nuclear power stations.
During the consultations we shared information with people, explained our proposed decisions and considered the feedback we received. We emphasised that we would not make any final decisions until we had considered all relevant responses to the consultation.
We received 212 responses from organisations and members of the public:
All responses to our consultation (if the respondent gave permission) are published on this page.
The Sizewell C project team would like to thank everyone who responded to their consultations.
We have assessed the 3 permit applications and considered the responses we received from both consultations.
Our final decision is that we should grant the permits for the 3 operational activities. The limits and conditions attached to the permits will make sure that people and the environment are protected from the 3 operational activities under normal operation.
Summary
NNB Generation Company (SZC) Limited applied for 3 environmental permits to operate Sizewell C. We want your views on our proposed decision and draft permits.
Background
The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England. It makes sure that nuclear power stations meet high standards of environmental protection.
Any company that wants to operate a nuclear power station will have to show that it can build, commission, operate and decommission it safely and securely, whilst protecting the environment and managing radioactive waste.
EDF nominated Sizewell as a potential site for a new nuclear power station. EDF’s new nuclear build company, NNB Generation Company (SZC) Limited, is proposing to construct a twin reactor nuclear power station at a location immediately north of the existing Sizewell A and B power stations. The proposed new power station is known as Sizewell C.
The Sizewell site is located on the east coast of the United Kingdom, approximately 1.5km north-east of the town of Leiston in the county of Suffolk.
Find out more about our work at Sizewell C (SZC) at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sizewell-nuclear-regulation
Permit applications and our proposed decision
In May 2020, NNB Generation Company (SZC) Limited applied to the Environment Agency for 3 environmental permits to operate Sizewell C. We consulted on these applications from July to October 2020. We have come to a proposed decision on whether we should issue these permits, and if we do what conditions they should include.
The permits are to:
Our proposed decision is that we should issue all 3 permits. Our Habitats Regulations Assessment conclusions support our view. We consider that the limits and conditions in the permits are suitable to protect people and the environment.
We’re inviting your comments on our proposed decisions, draft permits and supporting documents. Where relevant, we can use these to help inform our final decisions on the permits.
We welcome everyone’s views, for example from:
Scope of consultation
Advice about what aspects and issues we can and cannot take account of is provided below:
We can take account of:
We cannot take account of:
How to comment
We have published the following documents for you to consider:
On this page
On the water discharge activity consultation page
On the radioactive sources activity consultation page
On the combustion activity consultation page
On this page
On the water discharge activity consultation pages
On the radioactive sources and water discharge activity consultation pages
On the radioactive sources activity consultation page
On the combustion activity consultation page
Schedule 5 notices
We requested more information from NNB GenCo to help us make decisions about the permit applications. We do this by issuing a legal notice called a Schedule 5 specifying the further information we need from them and the date by which it must be provided. We took this information into account in coming to the proposed decisions on the permit applications. Schedule 5 notices and any responses received as a result of those notices are placed on the Public Registers.
We have published all the schedule 5s below
On the combustion activity consultation page
On the water discharge activity pages
Next steps following this consultation
Our determination of NNB Generation Company (SZC) Limited’s 3 permit applications continues and we have not yet reached any final decisions. We will complete our determination, including carefully considering all relevant comments made during consultation and will produce final decision documents that:
We will publish our final decision in early 2023.
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