| Nuclear regulation news |
| Public consultation on an application to change Hinkley Point C’s permit to operate its standby diesel generators |
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| Our role The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England. We make sure that nuclear power stations meet high standards of environmental protection. We regulate the potential impacts of nuclear sites on people and the environment. We do this by issuing environmental permits which cover activities required for: preparing the site and constructing the power stationoperating and decommissioning the power station We also regulate other new and existing nuclear facilities in England. These can include fuel manufacturing sites, uranium enrichment plants, and waste management and disposal facilities. We work closely with ONR, which regulates nuclear safety, conventional health and safety, security and safeguards at nuclear licensed sites. To build and operate a new power station at a specific site, a company must apply for environmental permits from the Environment Agency. These permits cover site investigation and preparation, construction works and associated developments such as workers’ accommodation, operation and decommissioning. Our consultation This consultation is about a change to a permit that NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited need to operate Hinkley Point C power station. It is not for construction site activities. Nuclear power stations must have a permit for combustion activities. The permit allows the company to operate standby power supply systems (diesel generators) in the event of a loss of off-site power. The permit covers the diesel generators together with associated fuel storage tanks and the interconnecting pipework. Since the permit was originally granted in 2013, NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited has made several design changes. The proposed variation is to allow the installation of additional back-up generators and changes to those already permitted. These changes are intended to improve the site’s resilience in the event of a loss of off-site power. We will only issue a varied permit if we are satisfied that the permit will ensure that a high level of protection is provided for the environment and human health and that the activities will not give rise to any significant pollution. Viewing the documents and how to comment We launched a public consultation where you can view the application and send us your comments. This consultation is aimed at: members of the publiccommunities local to the site for this permit applicationstatutory consulteesacademics with an interest in nuclear power, energy production or the environmentnon-governmental organisations (NGOs) Comments from any other interested parties are also welcome. All the documents are available to view and download online. We have designed the online consultation to make it easy to submit responses to the questions. We would prefer you to comment online as this will help us to gather and summarise responses quickly and accurately. Please send us your comments on the application number EPR/ZP3238FH/V004 to: Online consultation websiteEmail: PSCpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk The consultation closes at 23.59 on Tuesday 16 June 2026. Information about how and why we consult. For advice about how to make a comment or if you are unable to make a comment by email, please call 03708 506 506. The Environment Agency will normally put any comments it receives on the public register. This includes your name but not your personal contact details. Please tell us if you do not want your response to be public. |
Timberscombe 