The Nuclear Industry Association today welcomes the interim completion of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) of Areva’s EPR and Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactors.  

On 14th December 2011, the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) announced that both reactors had been granted interim Design Acceptance Confirmation (IDAC) and the Environment Agency (EA) confirmed that the reactors had been granted interim Statements of Design Acceptability (ISODA).

The announcement emphasises that momentum for new nuclear in the UK is gathering pace and this is another important step in finalising new build plans, for the next generation of safe, low carbon nuclear power plants.

Equally welcome were the comments from the EA, “We are content with the environmental aspects of the design, that it should meet the high standards we expect.”

“This is very good news… It is a major milestone which follows a detailed four-year review by one of the most rigorous independent nuclear safety authorities in the world. We are conscious that there is still a lot to do to achieve final certification, and we will do it.

“All this is important for new nuclear build and its legacy of clean, secure and affordable energy, as well as the jobs and economic boost our project is now delivering.”

Keith Parker, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association commented,

“The NIA welcomes this announcement which maintains the momentum towards new nuclear build in the UK. The GDA process has given confidence that the technologies under review are suitable for use in the UK.”

“I would echo the words of the Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP in commenting that the UK is the most exciting place in Europe and one of the most exciting places in the world for new nuclear right now.”

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment

You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.