Before we can grant a nuclear site licence for a new nuclear installation to be built and operated in Great Britain, we must be satisfied with the safety case for the proposed installation and the suitability of the site. We must also consider whether the licence applicant meets the requirements laid down in the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, can satisfy our policies on nuclear site licensing and is able to comply with the conditions which will be attached to the licence.
The proposed operator may also need to obtain other permissions from regulators and other authorities in the form of:
- Environmental permits from the appropriate environment authority (Environment Agency in England, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) or Natural Resources Wales (NRW); and
- Development consent or planning permission as appropriate from the Planning Inspectorate or relevant planning authority.
Prospective operators of new sites will need to seek advice from other regulators and government departments, such as the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in particular, at the earliest opportunity.
Example: Sizewell C
In May 2024, we granted a nuclear site licence for Sizewell C Ltd to install and operate a nuclear power station at Sizewell C in Suffolk. The decision was made following an assessment of the nuclear site licence application made by Sizewell C Ltd, with our review concluding that the application met requirements set out in our regulatory guidance.