EDF - Hinkley Point

EDF Energy extends response deadline to first stage of Hinkley Point public consultations

EDF Energy has said that owing to the recent severe weather conditions, it will extend the deadline for submitting responses to its first stage consultations on its proposals to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, by one week until 18 January 2010.

The company has said that it is encouraged by the level of public response already received. However with the poor weather potentially affecting local travel and postal deliveries, it has decided to extend the deadline to ensure that everyone wanting to submit a response can do so. The exhibition material will also remain available for public viewing at the company's office at 14 King Square, Bridgwater until 18 January.

The energy company organised eight public events between November and January to gauge opinion on its ‘Initial Proposals and Options’ for the project. In response to the level of interest in the plans, a ninth event was held at Cannington after the first village event attracted over four hundred local residents.

The exhibitions have been well attended, with well over 1,000 people at the nine venues across Somerset. More than 400 stakeholders have attended additional stakeholder meetings. At the close of this first stage of the consultation EDF Energy has engaged with in excess of 1,500 people. As well as the public events, the consultation details were also available online and views could be made known online and via the company’s King Square offices, a freephone number and freepost address.

Views were canvassed on the initial proposals and options for the main power station development at Hinkley Point, along with proposals and options for infrastructure away from the main site necessary to support the construction and operation of the power station. Views on preliminary site works, which would be the subject of a separate planning application, were also sought.

Simon Dunford, EDF Energy’s head of off-site development for the Hinkley Point C project, commented: “We are very pleased with the level of response from the local community and are extending the period for responses to make sure everyone can have their say.

“As well as the many supportive comments about the need for a new nuclear power station and the investment opportunities that would bring, people also told us about any concerns they have with our proposals and their priorities for the local area. We will carefully consider all of the responses before consulting again on our preferred proposals.”

Two new generating units at Hinkley Point C would be capable of supplying enough electricity for around five million homes and at the peak of construction provide around 4,000 jobs on-site and more in the supply chain. Once operational, the new power station would support around 700 permanent direct jobs as well as many more indirect jobs.

Over the coming months, EDF Energy will carefully review the responses and comments received in the first stage of the consultation before returning for a second stage of public consultation on the ‘Preferred Proposals’ for the project.

ENDS

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Notes to editors:

STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

EDF Energy has published a Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC) in relation to its proposed development of Hinkley Point C. The SOCC sets out how EDF Energy proposes to consult people living in the vicinity of the land. The publication of a SOCC is a requirement of the Planning Act 2008.

EDF ENERGY

The combination of EDF Energy and British Energy forms one of the UK’s largest energy companies. The new EDF Energy is the UK’s largest producer of electricity and the largest generator of low carbon electricity in Britain. Through Our Climate and Social Commitments we have launched the biggest environmental and social packages of any UK energy company.

We produce around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from our nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. We provide power to a quarter of the UK’s population via our electricity distribution networks and supply gas and electricity to over 5.5 million business and residential customers.

The company is a key player in national infrastructure projects including management of private electricity networks serving four London airports and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the country’s first major new railway in 100 years and has published plans to build up to four new nuclear power stations in the UK.

EDF Energy and British Energy together employ nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK. EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies.

EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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