Acoustic Fish Deterrents at Hinkley Point C: A Necessary Environmental Protection

There has been a recent upsurge in interest in the Acoustic Fish Deterrent after a consultation was launched by EDF to remove the necessary environmental protection.

This mini-site provides information on the system, and it's need at Hinkley Point C. The article below is an example of this interest.

“Fish Guidance Systems is unimpressed at EDF’s change of direction, saying it was like building wind turbines that would kill millions of birds and offering to build a nature reserve next door.”

Click here to read the full Guardian article

Acoustic Fish Deterrents at Hinkley Point C

A Necessary Environmental Protection

Hinkley Point C is the first of a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK. The plant is due to open in June 2031 and will cost up to £46bn. Hinkley Point C will account for 7% of the country’s electricity supply, providing power to around six million homes and offsetting nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

All current plans at Hinkley Point C include an AFD to prevent fish from being drawn into the  extensive cooling facilities. The water will be drawn from the Severn Estuary—a designated special area of conservation. The necessary Acoustic Fish Deterrent (AFD) must be installed to prevent 182 million fish per year from being killed, this figure is part of a Welsh Government report on the AFD.

The AFD will guide fish away from the plant’s water intakes to protect them from harm. EDF is currently planning to remove this necessary environmental protection because of unfounded concerns about noise, access, and cost, all of which are addressed below.

Hinkley Point C and the Acoustic Fish Deterrent

For over a decade EDF have been attempting to remove the Acoustic Fish Deterrent, a necessary environmental protection, from Hinkley Point C, an act that would kill 182 million fish per year for the next sixty years. In this time, Fish Guidance Systems have been working towards the installation of an Acoustic Fish Deterrent at Hinkley Point C through innovation, education and positive engagement. 

During this time, we have been committed to working with EDF to deliver this necessary and important environmental protection. Despite this, there have been many attempts to remove the AFD, independent organisations, including the UK and Welsh Government, have stated the technology must be installed.

There has been a growing interest in the Acoustic Fish Deterrent (AFD) after a new consultation was launched by EDF to remove this necessary environmental protection.

This mini-site provides information on the system and its necessity at Hinkley Point C.  In addition, we have provided links to articles, reports and independent assessments to show the public support for the AFD.

“Fish Guidance Systems is unimpressed at EDF’s change of direction, saying it was like building wind turbines that would kill millions of birds and offering to build a nature reserve next door.”

Click here to read the full Guardian article.

'Final' decision already made by government to install AFD

In September 2022, an appeal to remove the AFD from the plant by EDF was rejected by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. This was the last recourse for EDF, except for a judicial review. However, a new public inquiry is now being rumoured due to a technical change in approach.

In their report, which can be found here, they stated: 

“The Secretary of State considers that the migratory species have been declining, are considered in a poor state and that even low-level impacts on a population at risk can be significant. He also considers that the marine stocks are in a poor or vulnerable state and that impacts of the scale indicated by the… [removal of the AFD] would have a potential material effect on these stocks.”

Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 Appeal by NNB Generating Company (HPC) Ltd Removal of acoustic fish deterrent conditions from Water Discharge Activity (WDA) Permit

The quick facts on AFD claims

In January 2024, a consultation on the idea of replacing the AFD with a salt-marsh as been widely rejected by the public and environmental organisations. As part of the consultation, EDF claimed incorrectly several aspects of the AFD. These are the clarifications:

  • The AFD would not be heard from the shore (36.5db at 2 miles away and up to 20 metres underwater).
  • An AFD was tested in Hartlepool, where local seal populations were monitored with no effect on their behaviour (AFD sounds at 1,000hz, peak range of sea mammal hearing is 20,000hz).
  • The nature reserve is a worthwhile environmental addition if done right but would not stop a single one of the 182 million fish killed without the AFD from dying.
  • ROV systems are developing rapidly, with improved capabilities for navigation in challenging conditions, such as very low visibility, onshore control, advanced navigation software, more ROV power, and manipulators with greater control and accuracy.
Hinkley Point C Fish Deterrent System

What can an Acoustic Fish Deterrent (AFD) achieve?

As part of the Development Consent Order, the AFD has been approved and reaffirmed multiple times for Hinkley Point C.

The Government, the Welsh Government, and a Public Inquiry have all stated that the AFD will play an essential role in protecting marine life and must be installed. Without it, environmental organisations believe that 182 million fish could be pulled into the intake each year.

An effective screening system comprises a fish return system with an AFD, accounting for various factors, including:

  • Differences in fragility of the fish at risk.
  • Differences in handling sensitivities of the fish drawn into the intake.
  • The potential for fish stocks to change over the plant’s lifespan.
  • A safe maintenance process that protects divers and other operatives.

The decision on the installation of the AFD had been settled. However, EDF continues its attempts to remove necessary environmental protections.

Fish Guidance Systems provided statements at the public inquiry of June 8th, 2022. Dr. David Lambert, Managing Director of Fish Guidance Systems, and Dr. Andy Turnpenny, fish biologist, gave a presentation on the AFD’s requirements to be included in the DCO for the proposed nuclear plant. To view their full statements, please follow the link below.

Public Inquiry Statements

Thirty Years of Experience.

FGS has been developing sound-based behavioural fish protection systems for over 30 years. These are backed by scientific research and multiple trials to assess effectiveness and environmental impact. 

The type proposed for Hinkley Point C uses a Sound Projector Array, a system of underwater speakers that produce a repellent sound gradient to block intakes.

Species such as Atlantic salmon and twaite shad, which are abundant in the Severn Estuary and of high conservation importance, have responded particularly well to existing AFDs.

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1st February 2024