Sizewell: Nuclear power station site at ‘high risk’ of flooding - report

THE potential site of a new nuclear power station is at “high risk” of flooding according to an unpublished government analysis, it has been reported.

The document, compiled by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), was obtained by a national newspaper.

It showed that as many as 12 of Britain’s 19 nuclear sites are at risk of flooding and coastal erosion because of climate change - including Sizewell.

But last night EDF Energy, which owns the power station, said they were confident their safety measures were adequate to protect against such dangers.

The analysis was conducted by officials from Defra’s floods and coastal erosion team as part of an investigation into the impacts of climate change. It said that Sizewell, which has been identified by the Government as a suitable site for new nuclear build, was at “high risk” of flooding.

Tom Griffith-Jones, from the Shutdown Sizewell Campaign, said: “I don’t think it’s a surprise but it just highlights the stupidity of wanting to build a new nuclear power station on that site.

“Even with the most stringent of safeguards how can you predict what will happen in 100 years? Erosion is taking place at an extreme rate.”

A spokesman for EDF Energy said they were confident that the site was adequately protected against potential storms and coastal flooding.

“Such safeguards are part of our nuclear site license for each station,” he said. “Protection from flooding has also been factored in to our new build plans and will be covered by a robust regulatory regime, should consent be granted.”

N Sizewell B was still off-line yesterday following an electrical fault. Engineers were continuing to work to find the problem, a spokesman said.