Join +750K new investors every month who copy stock picks from billionaire's portfoliosSign Up Free

UK nuclear regulator does not foresee Flammanville reactor flaws at HPC

Published 09/03/2016, 16:29
Updated 09/03/2016, 16:30
© Reuters. File picture of a tractor mowing a field on the site where EDF Energy's Hinkley Point C nuclear power station will be constructed in Bridgwater, southwest England
EDF
-

LONDON (Reuters) - Reactors at EDF's proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear project should not be vulnerable to the same weak spots as found in a reactor vessel at the company's Flammanville site in France, Britain's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) said on Wednesday.

Intractable problems at two nuclear plants under construction in France and Finland have threatened more delays to EDF's plan to build two Areva-designed European Pressurised Reactors (EPR) nuclear reactors in Britain at Hinkley Point in southwestern England.

The Hinkley Point C project was first announced in 2013, but an investment decision has been put off repeatedly as EDF (PA:EDF) struggles to find partners and funding.

Flamanville is also years behind schedule and in April last year French nuclear regulator ASN said "very serious anomalies" had been found in its reactor vessel.

However, the ONR said it does not anticipate similar anomalies at Hinkley Point C as occurred at the EPR reactor at Flamanville.

"EDF will be procuring the dome forgings manufactured from larger ingots using a different casting process designed to eliminate the carbon segregation currently being considered by the French regulator," the ONR said in a statement.

© Reuters. File picture of a tractor mowing a field on the site where EDF Energy's Hinkley Point C nuclear power station will be constructed in Bridgwater, southwest England

"As part of ONR's ongoing regulation, the dome and the whole reactor will need to meet the UK's high standard of nuclear safety to ONR's satisfaction before permissions are given," it added.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.