Press Release: Comments process on UK HPR1000 nuclear technology ends

The public comments process on the reactor technology proposed for Bradwell B has closed after nearly four years.

This marks an important step in the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) of the reactor, which is on-track for completion in early 2022.

Since November 2017, members of the public have been invited to provide their feedback on the UK HPR1000 reactor design developed by General Nuclear System Limited, a joint venture between EDF and CGN.

Over 70 responses have been received during this time from members of the public and organisations with an interest in the reactor technology, a similar level of response to previous GDAs.  The feedback has ranged from the safe disposal of waste and spent fuel, to how climate change has been accounted for and design management.

During the four step GDA process the UK’s regulators, the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency, provide independent scrutiny to ensure that new nuclear power station designs proposed for the UK meet high standards of safety, security, and environmental protection. The GDA is undertaken before a developer has formed detailed proposals for a specific site, allowing the regulators to identify potential design or technical concerns early and ask the designer to resolve them.

The GDA is on schedule to complete in early 2022 and, if successful, a Design Acceptance Confirmation (DAC) and Statement of Design Acceptability (SoDA) will be issued from the ONR and EA respectively. If approved, the UK HPR1000 will join a global fleet of HPR1000 nuclear plants, the first two units of which are already well advanced in their construction in China.  By the time Bradwell B could be online in the UK it is likely to be the fifteenth in the fleet.

Minhong Zhu, Managing Director of General Nuclear System Limited, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the comments process. It has been an important way for us and the regulators to listen to the public and provide feedback to questions. The close of comments is a milestone in the assessment of this safe, advanced and proven  reactor technology, which can support the UK meet its net zero carbon targets.”

 GDA is separate, but complimentary, to applications to build nuclear power stations at specific sites such as Bradwell. In order to build a nuclear power station at a specific location, the site’s individual conditions need to be taken into account, meaning that a range of site specific consents are required, including development consent, site licensing and environmental permits.  These consents for Bradwell B will require separate and in-depth public engagement and consultation over the coming years.

To find out more about the GDA visit the UK HPR1000 website www.ukhpr1000.co.uk. A summary of the comments received can be viewed on the UK HPR1000 webpage common comment themes.

To find out more about the consents and permissions related to building a new nuclear power station at Bradwell B, see the consents and permits webpage. Further information about Bradwell B, including contact details, can be found at www.bradwellb.co.uk.