Possible Generic Fault with Reactor Type at Hinkley C

Posted: 15th December 2021

The Nuclear Free Local Authorities network (NFLA) has written to the Minister of State for Energy and the Head of the Office of Nuclear Regulation calling for an indefinite halt to construction work at the new Hinkley Point C nuclear plant whilst the impact of the Taishan-1 nuclear accident in China is investigated. The Chair of the NFLA SteeringCommittee, Councillor David Blackburn, has written to Minister Greg Handsand Chief Executive Mark Foy outlining concerns that a radioactive gas leak at the Taishan 1 reactor in China has uncovered a potentially fatal design flaw which could have a serious impact on the UK Government’s plans to permit identical reactors to operate at Hinkley Point C in Somerset and at Sizewell C in Suffolk. The Hinkley Point and Sizewell projects would both, like Taishan-1, be equipped with EPRs (short for European Pressurised or Evolutionary Power Reactors). EPR projects have a history of safety concerns, massive delays and huge cost overruns. Although the Hinkley PointC is planned to come on line in 2026, plants at Olkiluoto 3 in Finland and Flammaville 3 in France are now 13 and 11 years behind schedule respectively. Sizewell is still awaiting final government authorisation. NFLA 13th Dec 2021  https://www.nuclearpolicy.info/news/nfla-seeks-indefinite-halt-new-hinkley-power-plant-chinese-nuclear-accident-investigated/