The UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has given the green light for the decommissioning of Hunterston B nuclear power plant in Scotland, operated by EDF Energy. This marks a significant step in the planned closure of one of the UK's longest-running nuclear facilities.

Located in North Ayrshire, Hunterston B houses two advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) that have been generating power since the 1970s. Reactor 3, which began operation in February 1976, far surpassed its initial 25-year lifespan, finally ceasing operations in November 2021. Reactor 4 followed suit, shutting down in January 2023 after 46 years of service.

Decommissioning of Hunterston B follows a comprehensive environmental assessment carried out by EDF Energy, which was reviewed by ONR inspectors. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) pinpointed two major concerns during the dismantling phase: the visual disruption for local residents and the socioeconomic impact on regional jobs as plant workers transition out of their roles.

Despite these challenges, the ONR deemed EDF’s mitigation strategies sufficient, ensuring the process adheres to industry best practices. Ian Phillips, ONR's Head of Safety Regulation for Decommissioning, emphasized their commitment to oversight: "We will continue to effectively regulate the Hunterston B site... to safeguard workers and the public."

Since the plant's shutdown, efforts have been focused on safely removing the nuclear fuel from both reactors. The defueling of Reactor 3 concluded in September 2023, while Reactor 4's defueling is slated for completion by 2025.

The decommissioning process will eventually transfer from EDF to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). NRS will oversee the dismantling of the plant and other structures, bringing an end to Hunterston B’s nuclear legacy.

As part of a broader UK initiative, EDF and the government are working together to shorten the decommissioning timelines for all seven AGR nuclear plants, aiming to accelerate the defueling process. Currently, three sites - Hunterston B, Hinkley Point B, and Dungeness B - are actively being defueled, while four others continue to operate.

Hunterston B’s decommissioning is not just the closure of a nuclear facility, but the beginning of a new phase in the UK's energy journey. As the country looks ahead, nuclear energy will continue to play a critical role, with the potential for future developments in the energy sector.

Source: world-nuclear-news.org "Decommissioning of Hunterston B approved" 

https://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/decommissioning-of-hunterston-b-approved