EDF Energy has submitted an application for the site licence and an environmental permit for the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in the UK.

EDF’s site licence will be evaluated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation for about 18 months while the environmental permit is expected in four months.

The nuclear plant was initially scheduled to commence operations in 2018, which is now being deferred owing to Japan’s nuclear disaster in March.

The move comes after the UK Government approved eight sites for construction of new nuclear plants, reports Reuters.