Prior to the construction of a nuclear power station, consideration must be given to the choice of a suitable site. Although nuclear power station has got somewhat more freedom in its sitting than a fossil-fuel station it size presents new probIems. In choosing a plant location, it is therefore necessary to achieve an optimum balance amongst the competing factors. If a site is selected as a compromise between one or more of the controlling factors, it may increase the cost and influence the reliability of the plant. These considerations are briefly discussed in this paper.