Cumbria frequently asked questions

We are currently at an early stage in considering a possible new nuclear power station development for Cumbria. This page aims to respond to a range of questions we have already been asked and sets out RWE npower’s position on a number of issues that have emerged over the past months and in correspondence with members of the public.

At this stage, however, there are a range of detailed questions on topics like access routes, local impacts and timings which we cannot fully answer. What we can say is that we are committed to consultation and to keeping local people informed. We will keep this page up to date as things progress.

Why have you nominated sites in West Cumbria as potential locations for a new power station?

West Cumbria has an experienced and skilled local workforce and is a key centre for the UK nuclear industry. This makes it a strong potential location for a new nuclear power plant to deliver much needed supplies of secure, low carbon electricity. West Lakes Renaissance, the current Urban Regeneration Company for Furness and West Cumbria, has set out its vision of the area as ‘Britain’s Energy Coast’, because of its capacity to host new, low carbon, electricity production facilities including nuclear and renewables.

Initial studies have indicated that our sites in West Cumbria are potentially suitable for the development of new nuclear power stations.

What is the status of the nomination?

RWE npower has nominated two sites on the Cumbrian coast as potential locations for new nuclear development.

The Government published the full nominations list and accompanying details on 15 April 2009, providing a month-long window for initial comments on the factual details of the nominations.

In November 2009, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, announced the publication of a draft ‘Nuclear National Policy Statement’ including a list of ten potential sites including both Kirksanton and Braystones. The Government also published its proposals for public consultation on the document which finished on 22 February 2010. Following the close of the consultation period the Policy Statement will be put before Parliament in 2010. After this individual developers like RWE npower would be required to seek planning and other consents to build a new station and this would involve further consultation.

What would the benefit be to the local community?

A new power station in West Cumbria could create around 5,000 jobs during the construction phase and 5-800 permanent jobs. Our experience shows that a significant power station development injects tens of millions of pounds into the local economy once it is up and running through indirect employment and the demand for goods and services from local businesses. It is also likely that a new nuclear power station could help cement West Cumbria as a centre of expertise in nuclear technology, leading to far-reaching long-term benefits.

What about the threat of terrorism?

Power stations are extremely robust structures and have a multi-layered defence against physical threats such as aircraft or other impacts.

The Government’s Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) is responsible for approving security arrangements for the industry and enforcing compliance. Nuclear facilities are also monitored by a number of other domestic and international bodies who ensure a full range of rigorous security and safeguards arrangements. In the UK, the nuclear industry has its own dedicated police force in the form of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC). As Civil Nuclear Security is kept under constant review, delivering counter-terrorist operations is the CNC’s key role and is part of the security regime at existing nuclear sites. Together with the other factors above, this ensures that any kind of security risks are kept to a minimum.

How safe are new nuclear power stations, what about leaks or accidents?

The modern nuclear industry in the UK is very closely regulated by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) to ensure all nuclear plants are built and operated to the highest safety levels. Alongside the NII, the Environment Agency and ensures radioactive waste discharges and other environmental impacts are correctly managed.

Nuclear safety policies involve identifying and assessing all of the hazards which might lead to an incident, and then setting up fail-safe systems and multiple barriers to combat them. Before a nuclear power station is licensed in the UK, its owners must demonstrate that it is safe and that the likelihood of uncontrolled radioactive material escaping is less than one in a million for each year of the reactor’s life. To achieve these results, all conceivable events from earthquakes and fire to aircraft crash must be prepared for.

For a large amount of radioactive material to escape from a modern nuclear power station, a whole chain of failures would need to take place. With existing safety measures, such an incident is extremely unlikely and a significant escape of radioactive material even more so, given the stringent standards that are deployed in designing and constructing new nuclear power stations.

What will you be doing to compensate local residents affected by your proposals?

We fully recognise that proposals for major infrastructure projects raise many issues for local communities. We also understand that the lengthy process required to meet the Government’s requirements for nomination of potential nuclear sites can result in a prolonged period of uncertainty for homeowners. We do take this seriously, but at this very early stage, before we even know if and where development could take place, we do not have answers to all of these questions. As our plans become clearer we will be able to sit down and discuss individual cases and to work with the community to ensure we maximise the benefit of the project and seek to mitigate any potential issues.

How would you manage to construct and operate a nuclear power station in West Cumbria given the limited road infrastructure?

Improvements to the existing transport network would need to be carefully considered in planning for new nuclear development and will be the subject of a detailed transportation study. Should we proceed with the development, we would work closely with all relevant organisations to secure the best possible outcome. We believe that the investment generated by a new nuclear power station could be a catalyst for significant investment in the region’s infrastructure.

How would you evacuate people if there was an incident?

Until the details of a new station are agreed, for instance the planned layout, it’s not possible to be specific. However, as part of any planning application for a new nuclear power station, we would be required to produce a comprehensive safety case including both a health impact assessment and a clear emergency plan. These would be stringently examined under the UK’s very robust regulatory framework and without clearance it would not be possible to get permission for a new station.

What will a new power station look like?

Modern nuclear power stations are large industrial facilities, but they have been designed to be as compact as possible. The exact appearance depends on the type of technology used. For computer generated images of the technology currently being assessed in the UK see the "The technology" page.

In planning a new nuclear development in the region, we would work with local authority planning departments to minimise the visual impact. Every effort would be considered to limit any negative impact on the local community, including substantial landscaping.

When there is so much nuclear activity in the area, why are you proposing a greenfield site?

There are a wide range of considerations which have to be factored in when investigating potential sites for new nuclear generation, including geology, local environmental impacts, effects upon local communities etc. We are therefore looking at a range of options in Cumbria to ensure we identify the most appropriate site(s).

Any decision to develop a site would depend on finding the most appropriate location, the outcome of the SSA process and the results of extensive public consultation.

Shouldn’t you concentrate on developing Sellafield?

We believe that Braystones and Kirksanton are potentially excellent sites which are capable of being developed in the first wave’ of new nuclear power stations by 2025. We also believe it is extremely important that Cumbria has a number of potential new nuclear development options. It is premature to rule out any possible nuclear power station now before any sites have been fully investigated to determine their potential development potential and assess how any impacts would be mitigated.

Ultimately, we feel that the continued development of plans for new nuclear power at both our sites will benefit Cumbria.

Are you looking at other sites for new nuclear power stations?

Yes, RWE npower has formed a joint venture with E.ON UK, another UK energy company, with the aim of securing sites for new nuclear development, and then building, operating and ultimately decommissioning new nuclear power plant. The joint venture called Horizon Nuclear Power has secured sites at Wylfa, on Anglesey, and Oldbury-on-Severn, in Gloucestershire, which were sold for nuclear development by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in April 2009. Our objective is to deliver at least 6GW of new nuclear build, with the first station coming online at around the end of the next decade.

Why doesn’t RWE npower invest in renewable energy instead of new nuclear power?

npower renewables is already doing this. We operate 17 hydroelectric power plants and 21 wind farms in the UK including the UK’s first major offshore windfarm at North Hoyle, in North Wales. We also have permission to develop the Gwynt y Môr offshore windfarm, also off the North Wales coast. At 750MW this would be one of the UK’s largest wind farms.

However, to meet the country’s huge need for low - or zero - CO₂ power generation in the future, nuclear power also needs to be part of the mix, and West Cumbria is one of a small number of very promising locations around the UK where a station could be successfully sited.

For more information on our renewables projects, visit the RWE npower renewables website.

How much carbon dioxide do nuclear power stations emit compared to other forms of energy?

Nuclear power station emissions across the entire life cycle are comparable to those from wind generation. By generating electricity that would otherwise be produced by fossil-fuelled plant, new nuclear power stations can make a major contribution to meeting the UK’s carbon reduction targets.

For more information about our wider approach to nuclear power visit the FAQ page.