EDF to close UK Hunterston B nuclear power plant by Jan 2022

• 3 years ago (2020-08-28)
• David Flin

Europe 1061 Nuclear 639

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EDF has announced it will begin decommissioning its Hunterston B nuclear power plant in Scotland by January 2022. The plant has two reactors, units 3 and 4, rated at 610 MW but operating at 495 MW. It began operation in 1976.

The plant had regulatory approval to operate until March 2023, but both reactors were taken offline in 2018 after cracks were found in the graphite bricks forming the reactor core.

EDF said in a statement: “Given the age of the station and the desire to provide clarity for our staff and business partners, EDF has decided that Hunterston B will move into the defueling phase no later than 7 January, 2022.”

Britain’s nuclear regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has given permission for reactor 3 to restart for six months, after which time more checks will be carried out. Donald Urquhart, Deputy Chief Inspector for ONR, said: “We … have scrutinised the nature of the cracking observed in reactor 3 and are satisfied that it will not prevent the reactor from operating safely or impede its ability to be shut down if required.”

Reactor 4 has been in operation for six months since its closure in 2018, but has not yet operated this year. EDF hopes to restart the reactor for a further six months from September, subject to approval.