UK’s Horizon Nuclear Power company has received permission from the European environmental authority for its Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station.
The plan to build a two-reactor project on Anglesey, North Wales was submitted by the project’s host nation, the UK Government.
The nuclear new build programme has received a positive ‘Opinion’ from the European Commission (EC) under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty.
Horizon CEO Duncan Hawthorne said: “Approval under Article 37 is another key project milestone for Wylfa Newydd and one that adds to the significant momentum now behind the project.
“Ensuring the safe operations of our power stations will always be our first and overriding priority and to get this approval – following a very thorough and detailed assessment by the Commission – is another confirmation that we are putting robust plans in place to do just this.
“We will now continue to work with the environmental regulator in Wales to take this clearance forward for the domestic permits Wylfa Newydd also requires.”
Horizon’s Environmental Permit application outlined the planned safety and containment measures to ensure the power station’s radioactive waste disposal will not result in material contamination for any other EU countries.
The assessment was carried out against routine operations, decommissioning and spent fuel storage, and the highly unlikely event of an accidental release.
The approval, which was found to be in full compliance with European safety standards under all scenarios, follows the UK Government’s announcement that discussions for the lead site, Wylfa Newydd, will progress to the next phase.
