Hinkley Point
Hinkley Point is a headland on the Bristol Channel coast of Somerset, England, five miles north of Bridgwater and five miles west of Burnham-on-Sea, close to the mouth of the River Parrett.
The landscape of Hinkley Point is dominated by two nuclear power stations:
- Hinkley Point A - Magnox (now closed)
- Hinkley Point B - AGR
The Government has now announced its support for a third nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, and Electricité de France (EDF) are expected to submit an application for development consent to the Infrastructure Planning Commission in 2010.[1] A third, twin-unit European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) reactor is planned, and will become Hinkley Point C.[2] (EDF), who now own the site, are hoping to begin planning for the site in earnest.[2] Hinkley Point C and Hinkley Point D, in conjunction with Sizewell C, could contribute 13% of UK electricity in the early 2020s.[2] EdF plans to use Areva NP's EPR design for any new build reactors in the UK: the design is being used for reactors currently being built in Finland and France.[2]
The exposed location of Hinkley Point meant that it was considered ideal for wind generation. However, a proposal to build 12 wind turbines close to the site of the nuclear power stations was turned down in October 2005.[3] The reason given by the local council for the rejection was safety fears over what would happen were a turbine blade to detach and hit "something or somebody".
Hinkley Point adjoins the Bridgwater Bay (Site of Special Scientific Interest)[4] and nature reserve,[5] and is a popular location for birdwatching and fossil hunting. A visitors centre at the nuclear power station gives access to a nature trail which features plants, birds and butterflies.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ "Initial anticipated projects named". Infrastructure Planning Commission. http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/projects/south-west/hinkley-point-c-new-nuclear-power-station/. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ^ a b c d "New dawn for UK nculear power". WNN. 2008-09-24. http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN_New_dawn_for_UK_nuclear_power_2409081.html. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
- ^ "Wind turbine farm plans rejected". BBC News. 2005-10-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/4379346.stm. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
- ^ "Bridgwater Bay SSSI". Natural England. http://www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1001145. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
- ^ "Bridgwater Bay Natural Area". Natural England. http://www.english-nature.org.uk/science/natural/NA_Details.asp?NA_Id=115. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
- ^ "Hinkley Point Nature Trail to reopen". British Energy. http://www.british-energy.com/article.php?article=124. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
