Hinkley Point C nuclear plant faces potential five-year delay over fish protections

The plant, being built by energy company EDF, requires water from the Severn Estuary to cool its reactors. Government advisory body Natural England has indicated that current fish protection plans are insufficient.

Fish protection measures EDF has installed three systems at a combined cost of more than £700 million. These include intake heads that slow seawater flow, a recovery and return system for fish caught in pipes, and an acoustic deterrent tested earlier this year.

Tests conducted by Swansea University showed the acoustic system was highly effective, according to the company. The Environment Agency estimated that without these measures the plant could kill around 44 tonnes of fish annually.

Regulatory disagreement Natural England has suggested that EDF may need to create hundreds of acres of new salt marsh habitat by flooding farmland. The company stated this step would delay the project by approximately five years. EDF said the plant already has more fish protection than any other power station in the world.

A company spokesperson stated that further compensation measures should not be required. Natural England said it is not blocking the project and is working with EDF to ensure compliance with environmental law. The agency described the Severn Estuary as globally unique and said short-term costs to protect its ecosystem represent an investment in its future.

Without Natural England approval for water use, EDF cannot legally operate the plant. The government-commissioned Fingleton report last year recommended changes to the regulatory system to accelerate nuclear construction.