The proposed nuclear plant, which will feature two advanced-boiling water reactors (ABWR), is expected to be completed in the first half of the 2020s.
The UK nuclear regulator will review the nuclear site licence (NSL) by undertaking a 19-month program of assessment and intervention.
Once the license is approved, ONR will regulate Horizon for the full lifecycle of the site from construction to decommissioning.
Horizon safety and licensing, director Anthony Webb said: “Our focus will now be fully on providing the ONR with confidence in our ability to safely deliver this crucial project.”
Horizon is planning to secure all the necessary permissions for the project by the end of 2018.
ONR New Reactors Program deputy chief nuclear inspector and director Mike Finnerty said: “This is the first license application for a new nuclear power station since 2011, and over the past three years we have been engaged with Horizon, providing them advice on the licensing process and the robust requirements expected of a nuclear site licensee.”
In May 2016, Horizon Nuclear Power had selected Menter Newydd, a specially created joint venture, to build the Wylfa Newydd nuclear plant.
The project is expected to generate 8,000 to 10,000 jobs during construction phase and 850 permanent jobs upon commissioning.
Image: Horizon Nuclear Power nuclear site licensing manager Andrew Bevan and Horizon safety and licensing director Anthony Webb. Photo: courtesy of Horizon Nuclear Power.
