Under a treaty which encourages nuclear investment in the European Union, the European Commission has expressed its satisfaction with proposals by EDF Energy to build and operate a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

Last month the Commission presented its opinion to the UK Government, under Article 41 of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) Treaty, concluding that the proposed Hinkley Point C investment "fulfils the objectives of the Euratom Treaty and contributes to develop a sustainable national energy mix".


Under the Treaty developers of new nuclear power stations are required to notify the Commission of any investment projects. EDF Energy submitted its documentation in January 2010.

The recent opinion follows a separate view expressed by the Commission in May on cross-border impacts, under Article 37 of the Treaty. It concluded that Hinkley Point C "is not liable to result in radioactive contamination of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State that would be significant from the point of view of health."

Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, Managing Director of EDF Energy Nuclear New Build, said: "We are delighted that the European Commission has given the Hinkley Point C project a clean bill of health. This is great news and the result of a lot of hard work, as we continue to make progress towards obtaining the necessary planning and regulatory consents for this nationally important development."

(CD/GK)