The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in the United Kingdom has granted EDF Energy formal approval to begin the decommissioning of the Hinkley Point B nuclear plant, located in Somerset, after its permanent shutdown in August 2022. The plant, which consists of two Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs), began operation in 1976 and produced more than 311 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity before it was shut down.
Since the reactors were shut down, EDF has defueled the site in preparation for the decommissioning phase. EDF’s application for decommissioning was submitted to the ONR in September of the previous year, followed by a public consultation and a detailed assessment by ONR’s specialist inspectors regarding the environmental impact of the project.
ONR has approved EDF’s decommissioning plans after considering stakeholder feedback and thoroughly reviewing EDF’s environmental statement. This statement included an assessment of the environmental impact of the decommissioning process, along with mitigation measures to limit or reduce any significant adverse effects. The ONR deemed the proposed mitigation measures to be adequate for protecting the environment and in line with good industry practices.
Decommissioning of the site will be handled by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The process will involve the dismantling of the plant, site clearance, and restoration. ONR Director Dan Hasted stated that ongoing inspections would be carried out throughout the decommissioning phase to ensure that all regulations are adhered to, ensuring the safety of workers and the public.
All seven of the UK’s AGR plants, including Hinkley Point B, are scheduled to be shut down by 2028. Currently, four AGR plants remain operational, with Hartlepool and Heysham 1 expected to operate until 2026 and 2027, respectively. Heysham 2 and Torness are expected to continue generating power until 2030.
