The first nuclear site licence for 25 years has been granted to Hinkley Point near Burnham-On-Sea.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation has this week awarded the licence to NNB Generation Company, which is handling the bid to build the new reactors.
It means the company has developed the required plans, procedures and structures to build a new power station. However, the government still needs to give the go-ahead before it can be built.
NNB GenCo, a subsidiary of EDF Energy, is also waiting on a permit from the Environment Agency and both decisions are expected before the end of this year.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation said it spent the equivalent of 6,000 days assessing whether the company was suitable and capable, at a cost of £8m, which NNB GenCo will pay.
HM Chief Nuclear Inspector Mike Weightman said: “Granting a nuclear site licence enhances our regulatory control of the activities associated with designing and constructing nuclear facilities. NNB GenCo will now be required to comply with 36 conditions attached to a nuclear site licence.”
“These conditions provide The Office for Nuclear Regulation with the necessary regulatory powers to ensure the protection of people and society from the hazards associated with such nuclear power generation.”
