NuGen acquires land for Moorside project

Tuesday, 14 July 2015

NuGeneration Limited (NuGen) and the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) have signed a contract to transfer land near the Sellafield site in Cumbria for NuGen's planned Moorside nuclear power plant. 

NuGen announced today that the signing of the land contract had been approved by its board at a meeting in Tokyo. The contract was signed by NuGen CEO Tom Samson and NDA CEO John Clarke.

The signing of the contract follows successful completion of site suitability studies at Moorside by NuGen, which it said confirmed the site - to the north and west of Sellafield - as being suitable for the construction of three Westinghouse AP1000 pressurized water reactors. NuGen will now take responsibility for the land following payment of an "undisclosed sum" to the NDA, it said.

In October 2009, NuGen secured an option to purchase land on the West Cumbrian coast from the NDA for a total cash consideration of £70 million ($109 million). The site is approximately 200 hectares, of which the company will select the most suitable 100 hectares for the nuclear power plant. In May 2014, NuGen extended its option to purchase the land until after the European Commission ruling on the legality of the UK's electricity market reforms that support nuclear power. The original option to purchase the land was due to expire last October.

Samson said, "This is a key moment in our Moorside project journey. Our board reached a decision of significance which confirms Moorside is suitable, against criteria at this stage of the development. NuGen, our vendors and our expert partners are all confident we can build three reactors on the site."

He added, "This is great news for the North-West, and particularly West Cumbria, the UK's nuclear heartland. We are delighted to be taking forward Moorside, a massive development which will supply some 7% of the UK's future electricity."

Clarke said, "The completion of this stage of the land sale brings a range of benefits both nationally and locally. It supports the initiative to have West Cumbria recognized as a centre for nuclear excellence, building on over six decades of nuclear expertise in the area, whilst delivering value for money for the taxpayer and the national economy."

NuGen - a 60%/40% joint venture between Toshiba and GDF Suez - confirmed plans last year to build three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at Moorside by the end of 2026 with a total capacity of 3.4 GWe. The first unit is expected to begin operating by the end of 2024. A final investment decision is expected to be taken by the end of 2018.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News