Have your say on proposed change to permit at Hinkley Point C
The new combustion permit regulates the diesel backup generators, and improves the site鈥檚 resilience in the case of a power cut.
Environment Agency inspection team on site at Hinkley Point C
The Environment Agency has听today听launched a four-week consultation on a proposed change to听the combustion permit听at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station near Bridgwater.听
NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited has applied to the Environment Agency for a variation to听the听permit听which covers backup generators. This is not for听construction site activities.听
Nuclear power stations must have a permit for combustion activities. The permit allows the company to听operate听diesel generators听in the event of听a听power cut.听
Since the permit was originally granted in 2013, several design changes have been made.听
The proposed variation is to allow the installation of听additional听back-up generators and changes to those already听permitted. These changes are intended to improve the site鈥檚 resilience听in the event of听a loss of off-site power.听
We will only issue a varied permit if we are satisfied that the permit will ensure that听a high level听of protection is provided for the environment and human health and that the activities will not give rise to any significant pollution.听
We will publish our final decision by autumn 2026.听
Claire Brown, Nuclear New Build Programme Manager, said:听
We have been working with听NNB Generation Company听on its application to vary parts of their combustion听permit.听
The company is proposing to听install听additional听back-up generators and听make听changes to those already听permitted.听
These changes听should make the site more听resilient听in the event听a power cut.
How to have you say听
You can听send us your comments using:听
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The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 16 June 2026.听
For advice about how to make a comment or if you are unable to make a comment by email, please call 03708 506 506.听
Please quote the application number EPR/ZP3238FH/V004听in any correspondence.听
The Environment Agency will normally put any comments it receives on the public register. This includes your name but not your personal contact details. Please tell us if you do not want your response to be public.听
Background听
The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England. We make sure that nuclear power stations meet听high standards听of environmental protection.听
We issue permits which cover the activities听required听for constructing,听operating听and decommissioning power stations.听
For more about the Environment Agency and its regulatory role with Hinkley Point C visit鈥�Hinkley Point: nuclear regulation.