Nuclear reactor design sign-off delayed after Japan crisis

The sign-off for the design process for the UK’s new fleet of nuclear reactors - Westinghouse’s AP1000 and EDF/AREVA’s EPR - as part of the nuclear build programme is to be delayed by three months until an independent report into the Japanese nuclear crisis is completed.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency said that the Generic Design Assessment, which was originally planned for June will not come out until September.

“It is important that we take the necessary time to ensure that we learn any relevant lessons emerging from the events in Japan, and that the designers implement any improvements that may be required to the reactor designs,” a joint statement said.