The UK's Environment Agency has agreed to changes to the environmental permit for the Hinkley Point C NPP under construction in Somerset, UK. According to these changes, nuclear fuel from the plant will now be allowed to be stored in a dry storage facility rather than a wet facility, as originally planned.
Used fuel from the Hinkley Point C EPR pressurised water reactors will first undergo a period of cooling in a fuel pool before being stored on-site, pending transfer to a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). NNB Generation Company (HPC) was originally issued a radioactive substances environmental permit in 2013. In the original design radioactive used fuel was to be stored on-site using ‘wet storage’.
Earlier this year, however, NNB applied to the Environment Agency for a variation to its permit. This was to reflect the change in the technology by which it will store used fuel – from wet storage to dry storage. This will see used fuel stored in sealed containers within a facility, before it is sent to the GDF. The permit covers the associated discharges, not the storage of waste. However, a change to the permit was required to remove or amend specific conditions related to the previous wet storage technology that are no longer relevant.
The operator has said altering the storage method will not change the expected radiation dose from discharges to the general public or the wider environment. Such doses will remain extremely small.
Following a four-week public consultation over the proposed change, the Environment Agency agreed to amend the permit. More than 40 organisations and members of the public responded to the consultation.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We agree with the applicant’s demonstration that the proposed change to spent nuclear fuel storage represents Best Available Technique (BAT) for Hinkley Point C. We are satisfied that the change will not lead to an increase in radioactive discharges and will not cause adverse radiological impact on people and the environment. The changes will not impact our ability to effectively regulate the site and activities. We will continue to assess spent fuel storage and its impact at Hinkley Point C to ensure that discharges are minimised and that BAT is applied.”
Separately, NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited will be seeking the necessary changes to its Development Consent Order for Hinkley Point C later this year.
Image: The Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant under construction in Somerset (courtesy of Power Technology)
