Wylfa Newydd nuclear reactors meet regulators’ safety standards

REGULATORS have approved the design of the nuclear reactors at the planned Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station in Anglesey.

They confirmed the UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (UK ABWR), designed by Hitachi-GE, is suitable for construction in the UK after an indepth assessment.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales undertook the generic design assessment (GDA) of the reactor design.

Yesterday they said they were satisfied that the design meets regulatory expectations on safety, security and environmental protection and have issued the relevant documents to Hitachi-GE.

Horizon Nuclear Power is proposing to build and operate two of the reactors in Wylfa Newydd and Oldbury-on-Severn, near Thornbury in south Gloucestershire.

ONR’s chief nuclear inspector Mark Foy said: “The completion of the generic design assessment of the UK ABWR is a significant step in our regulation of the overall process to construct this type of reactor in the UK.”

Tim Jones, Natural Resources Wales’ executive director for north and mid Wales, added: “Following a public consultation on our initial findings, we have concluded that the UK ABWR design is acceptable.

“We will now work on the detailed assessments of the permits, licences and consents that Horizon Nuclear Power will need to have in place to build Wylfa Newydd.”