GDA meaning

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have released an updated framework for evaluating novel nuclear reactor designs, alongside a fresh policy permitting the use of evaluations undertaken by international nuclear regulators, to accelerate approval for new nuclear schemes across Great Britain, whilst upholding current safety, security and environmental protections already in place...

This Practice Note outlines the evolving policy and regulatory landscape for the potential future deployment of Advanced Nuclear Technologies, with particular emphasis on small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in the UK. It compiles details of, and links to, key policy documents, alongside an overview of ANT licensing, planning, siting, decommissioning and insurance. For further practical guidance on the financing of energy, power and resources projects across a range of sectors, including those covered in this Practice Note, see also the textbook: Energy and Resources Financing: A Practical Handbook... What are Advanced Nuclear Technologies (ANT)? The term ‘ANT’ is a collective description for the most recent nuclear technologies, namely: small modular reactors (SMRs) small and medium-sized reactors micro nuclear reactors advanced modular reactors ‘SMR’ is used interchangeably to refer to ‘small modular reactors’ or ‘small and medium-sized reactors’. Both are advanced, smaller-scale nuclear reactors. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), small reactors have a capacity below 300 MW,...

CASE HUB ARCHIVED – this archived case hub sets out the position as at the decision date of 19 April 2018; it is no longer updated. See further: timeline, commentary and related/relevant cases Case facts Outline A request for a preliminary ruling under Article 267 TFEU was made by the Portuguese Tribunal da Concorrência, Regulação e Supervisão to the Court of Justice, seeking guidance on the criteria for proving a ‘discriminatory pricing’ infringement under Article 102(c) TFEU—including whether any restrictive effects identified must be appreciable to engage the prohibition. The reference emerges from domestic proceedings in Portugal concerning a dispute between MEO—Serviços de Comunicações e Multimedia SA (the consumer brand of Portugal Telecom, Portugal’s principal telecommunications operator) and the Portuguese Competition Authority. MEO challenges the refusal of a complaint it filed against the performers’ rights collecting society, Cooperativa de Gestão dos Direitos dos Artistas Intérpretes ou Executantes (GDA), alleging that GDA’s application of differentiated wholesale tariffs for artists’ rights licences constituted an abuse of its dominant position within...

This Practice Note centres on the planning regime for new nuclear build facilities. It outlines the policy foundations for consenting new nuclear plants, the routes for appeal and judicial review, and the effects of the UK’s departure from the EU on nuclear planning. For general information on nuclear licensing and regulation, see: Nuclear licensing and regulation—overview. Further consents, including licensing from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), are covered in Practice Note: Operating under a nuclear site licence. Planning policy Energy National Policy Statements The government’s policy on major infrastructure is expressed through National Policy Statements (NPSs), which are statutory documents made under the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008). NPSs guide the Secretary of State when determining development consent applications for energy infrastructure of national significance. Between late 2009 and early 2010, the government issued six draft NPSs for consultation. These included: an Overarching National Policy Statement for energy NPS (EN-1) (updated in 2025 and in force from 6 January 2026), and ...