Hinkley C fish, EdF abandon Salt Marsh idea - back to Acoustic Deterrent
Posted: 7th March 2025
An acoustic fish deterrent was also proposed in Hinkley Point C’s planning consent in 2013. At that time, large scale acoustic fish deterrent devices were an emerging technology but since then the project found that the installation and operation of more than 280 underwater speakers in fast-flowing tides and poor visibility posed significant risks for divers. This was not considered acceptable for mitigating the size of the remaining impact on the local fish population and as a result, the project has recently been exploring the creation of new areas of saltmarsh habitat around the Severn as a compensation measure. We recently became aware of a new type of acoustic fish deterrent system that could be installed and operated in a way likely to be safe and effective in the waters of the Severn. This innovative solution was not known to us when we launched meetings with communities last year. The different type of technology, pioneered in the South-West, is proven and deployed internationally. This new type of acoustic fish deterrent is now the project’s preferred solution and we are working with experts to provide the scientific data to underpin the case for using it at Hinkley Point C.
EDF 4th March 2025
EDF considers plans to revive ‘fish disco’ at Hinkley Point plant. Move marks latest step in long-running debate over project’s wildlife protection measures. EDF is considering reviving plans to install a so-called fish disco in the Bristol Channel to ward off marine life approaching its nuclear plant Hinkley Point C. The French state-owned company has written to communities around the project, being built in Somerset, saying new technology could make its planned “acoustic deterrent” system “safe and effective”. The move marks the latest step in a long-running saga over the plant’s fish protection measures, which has become emblematic of a wider national debate between development and environmental protection measures. EDF proposed an “acoustic deterrent” as part of its original plans for the 3.2-gigawatt power station. The system was devised to protect fish at risk of being sucked into the plant’s machinery as it draws in water for cooling. But the company has for several years been trying to ditch the proposal, arguing it would endanger divers having to install and maintain the system, and may not be effective. It proposed to instead develop salt marshes to shelter shoals. In their letter to local communities, sent last week and seen by the FT, Andrew Cockcroft, head of stakeholder relations at Hinkley Point C, said it had “recently become aware” of innovation that meant a new type of deterrent could be installed. “The technology, pioneered in the south-west, is proven and deployed internationally [ . . . ] We are now working with experts to provide the scientific data to underpin the case for using it at Hinkley Point C,” he said. EDF will “pause all design and development work on salt marsh creation” in the meantime, he added.
FT 4th March 2025
New Civil Engineer 4th March 2025
World Nuclear News 4th March 2025
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/hinkley-point-c-EDF-tests-fish-acoustic-deterrent-system ;
BBC 4th March 2025
ITV 4th March 2025
‘Completely bonkers’ EDF saltmarsh plan halted – for now.
West Somerset Free Press 4th March 2025