EDF’s Hunterston B nuclear power plant in Scotland has been cleared for a final period of generation.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) today gave its permission for Reactors 3 and 4 at Hunterston to return to service for six months.
EDF had already announced that it would stop generating power from the plant by January 2022.
The plant was taken offline in May 2018 while the ONR carried out assessments on whether cracking observed in the graphite bricks that form the reactor core could compromise the key nuclear safety requirements.
Donald Urquhart, ONR’s deputy chief inspector, said: “Our specialist inspectors scrutinise each safety case in great detail to ensure the safety of workers, local residents and wider public. As the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, we will only allow nuclear facilities to operate if we are satisfied that it is safe to do so.
“I am satisfied that the evidence provided by EDF, which has been assessed by our team of specialist inspectors, demonstrates that Hunterston B’s Reactors 3 and 4 are able to operate and shutdown safely during this period of operation.”
The 965MW Hunterston B nuclear plant was opened in 1976 as one of the first in the UK’s fleet of seven advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) power stations. It was originally designed to operate for four decades but in 2012 EDF decided to extend its life by eight years. Last year it confirmed the plant will come offline no later than 7 January 2022.
The station’s director Paul Forrest said: “I welcome the ONR’s decision to grant permission for a final period of generation for both of Hunterston B’s reactors.
“We have carried out the most detailed investigation ever on this kind of reactor and the approved safety case has been subject to extensive scrutiny and testing, by EDF and independently. We have been able to demonstrate that even in the most extreme conditions our reactors will safely shutdown, including in the event of an earthquake larger than ever experienced in the UK.
“Since Hunterston B came online 45 years ago it has generated enough low carbon electricity to power all of Scotland’s homes for 31 years and has been an integral part of the North Ayrshire community supporting the employment of thousands of people.
“I am looking forward to a safe and successful final period of generation for the station before we move into the defuelling stage of its life.”