The U.K.’s Office for Nuclear Regulation said, along with the U.K. Environment Agency, that it had approved the design of the Chinese-developed Hualong Pressurized Water Reactor customized for Britain.
The reactor designated UK HPR 1000 “is suitable for construction in the UK, subject to the necessary licensing, planning permission and environmental permits, following completion of their in-depth assessment,” the ONR said this week.
The ONR and the Environment Agency has issued a Statement of Design Acceptability to China General Nuclear, EDF and General Nuclear International Ltd., partners in the GDA of the UK HPR1000.
The approval indicates the design has passed safety and environmental protection design protocols.
ONR’s Chief Nuclear Inspector Mark Foy said the design was accepted after rigorous review “undertaken by a wide range of specialist inspectors.”
Saffron Price Finnerty, Nuclear Regulation Manager at the EA said the agency was “responding to the climate emergency as a priority as we set out in our plan EA2025 – Creating a Better Place.”
“De-carbonizing energy supplies is a key objective for the UK and nuclear power is an important part of the Government’s energy policy to deliver a net zero future," she said.
A UK HPR1000 reactor is slated for the Bradwell B site northeast of London.