First site licence in 25 years for British nuclear power station is granted

The first new site licence for a British nuclear power station for 25 years has been granted for EDF Energy’s planned Hinkley Point plant in Somerset.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation has granted the site licence to NNB Generation Company, a subsidiary of the French energy giant.

The move did not give the company the go-ahead to start construction of the reactor, but was a significant step, said the independent regulator.