Sep 22, 2017 emergency services raced to hunterston power station after reports of an explosion at the ayrshire electricitygenerating facility. Electricity output from the hunterston b nuclear power station could fall by 40% this year after dozens of cracks were discovered in one of the reactors. It is currently awaiting a revised safety case for this from edf energy. It is located about 6 miles 9 km south of largs and about 2. Hunterston is a nuclear power station in north ayrshire, close to glasgow, that during its 20year life generated a total of 73twh for the national grid. Office for nuclear regulation page 3 of 29 executive summary title agreement to npsc 7785 hunterston b power station return to service safety case for reactor 4 following core inspection results in 2018. The uks office for nuclear regulation has given permission for edf energy to restart reactor 4 at its hunterston b nuclear power plant in scotland. Explosion next to hunterston power station as emergency services race to ayrshire plant a component failed at the converter plant run by scottish power next to the hunterston b nuclear. Over 350 cracks found in hunterston b nuclear reactor. From construction to closure in march 1990, the power station was owned and operated by south of scotland electricity board.
May 03, 2018 electricity output from the hunterston b nuclear power station could fall by 40% this year after dozens of cracks were discovered in one of the reactors. It currently generates up to mw and is due to operate until 2023. While this is entirely expected we take this very seriously and. Find out about edf energys commitment to zero harm. Hunterston b and hinkley point b nuclear safety concerns. It would probably be a hazard for the proposed moorside nuclear power station, as well. Jun 23, 2018 the prolonged closure of nuclear reactor 3 at hunterston b in north ayrshire, uk. Edf energy is expected to restart reactor 4 at its 40yearold hunterston b nuclear plant on the firth of. I was british energys nuclear safety manager at the time. Hunterston a was a twin reactor magnox power station and was scotlands first civil nuclear generating station and at the time of opening the largest in operation anywhere in the world and generated around 360mw of electricity during its 25 year life the station was started producing electricity in 1964 and closed down in 1989. To minimize the likelihood of an accident, the iaea assists member states in applying international safety standards to strengthen nuclear power plant safety. Aug 01, 2018 the new safety case for the closed down reactor at hunterston will determine how the station would withstand an earthquake.
Why hunterston b nuclear power station should not be. Hunterston b nuclear power station, west kilbride, ayrshire. Oct 06, 2014 media caption hunterston b has two advanced gascooled reactors and began operating in 1976. Hunterston nuclear power station has breached radiation safety rules and suffered five other problems with its safety systems. Hunterston b reactor 4 office for nuclear regulation news. Fire crews rushed to the site near the nuclear plant on thursday afternoon.
An application to dispose of radioactive waste under section of the radioactive substances act 1993 rsa 93 was received in march 2010 with minor amendments to the application made in october 2011. Nuclear regulator permits restarting of reactor 4 at. Sep 21, 2017 explosion next to hunterston power station as emergency services race to ayrshire plant a component failed at the converter plant run by scottish power next to the hunterston b nuclear facility. I was away from home visiting relatives over the christmas period, as were many other nonessential personnel. Safety was built in from the very foundations at hunterston and the devices ranged from the massive concreete sheilding round the reactor vessels, 9ft thick at the sides and 10ft 6in thick across the top, to the sensitive instrumnets which automatically and constantly sample the gas from the 3288 fuel element channels in search of the slightest trace of radioactive fission products released. Agreement to npsc 7785 hunterston b power station return. Technical note on safety problems at reactors 3 and 4 at. Due to the inherent safety margins of the agr reactor design, there was no reactor damage, and the plant would. The reactor had an estimated 209 cracks in its graphite core, and had been shut down since 2 october 2018. In our view, hunterston b nuclear power station needs to be closed for safety. The following describes the key dates for the site. News and information on nuclear power, nuclear energy, nuclear energy for sustainable development, uranium mining, uranium enrichment, nuclear generation. As nuclear power stations like hunterston b age, fine cracks occur in the graphite bricks which make up the reactor core. The tolerability of risk from nuclear power stations office for.
The office for nuclear regulation onr has today provided edf energy nuclear generation ltd with permission for reactor 4 at hunterston b to return to service for the next period of operation. May 04, 2018 from the uk office for nuclear regulation onr. More than 350 cracks have been discovered in hunterston bs nuclear reactor, pushing the total over government safety limits. Nuclear power plants are among the safest and most secure facilities in the world. The 1,288mw station uses two parallel 610mwe nominal advanced gascooled reactors agrs, although these no longer run at full power. Letter to the hunterston site stakeholder group 25 march 2020. A secondary area, in closer proximity to the nuclear site, was flown with 250m spacing. Hunterston b reactor 3 2 may, 2018 edf nuclear generation ltd the nuclear site licensee for hunterston b power station in north ayrshire has announced that the hunterston b reactor 3 will remain offline to ensure that the longer term safety case reflects the findings of recent inspections. Jellyfish blockage has occurred at the diablo canyon nuclear power station in california, and in japan. Neither edf energy nor onr, the uk nuclear safety regulator, would ever. One reactor ran for less than four months in 2019, but both are now shut awaiting safety assessments of proliferating cracks in their graphite cores the large flasks used for the spent fuel shipments are meant to be returned empty. Nuclear expert warns of chernobyllike disaster at hunterston.
Safety fears as hunterstons ayrshire cracked nuclear. This breaches the governments agreed safety limit and has prompted calls for a permanent shutdown. As part of the privatisation of the scottish electricity generators, hunterston a was transferred, with the adjacent hunterston b, to the new state owned company scottish nuclear. Project assessment report unique document id and onrhnb. Edf energy ngl has recently presented a safety case to onr that aims to justify further. Final report of the us nuclear regulatory commission on the advanced westinghouse ap nuclear reactor design. Why hunterston b nuclear power station should not be restarted. Hunterston b nuclear power plant was shut down last year after it was found that reactor 3 had almost 400 cracks in it exceeding the operational limit. It is about 6 miles 9 km south of largs and about 2. The station has been accused by the government watchdog, the scottish environment protection agency sepa, of breaking six legal promises it made to prevent people and.
But accidents can happen, adversely affecting people and the environment. The nuclear power station at hunterston in north ayrshire has breached radiation safety rules and suffered five other problems with its safety systems. Concerns after six safety incidents at hunterston nuclear plant. Safety of nuclear power reactors world nuclear association. Cracks in scottish nuclear reactor core prompt safety. The latest report from the uk government watchdog, the office for nuclear regulation onr, has revealed that hunterston failed to. In addition readers should be aware that the safety of any large scale industrial activity is an ongoing concern and must always be taken seriously. The latest report from the uk government watchdog, the office for nuclear regulation onr, has revealed that hunterston failed to adequately account for radioactive materials last october.
Hunterston b nuclear power station wikipedia republished. The main areas for concern appear to be plant alignment errors and a high defect backlog. The lifetime of hunterston b nuclear power station in scotland has been extended by another five years, to the end of 2016. Nuclear power plant safety, international safety standards. Four safety alerts at hunterston b nuclear plant spark. Construction of the site commenced in 1957, and electricity was first supplied to the grid in 1964. Hunterston b nuclear reactor to restart after safety assessment. On 20 august 2019 onr gave permission for reactor four at hunterston b nuclear power station to restart, but only until december. Electricity generation at nuclear plant to fall by 40%.
Two separate applications for variations to the extant authorisation for the disposal of solid radioactive. Operational safety practices in nuclear power plants. As an area of flat land adjacent to deep natural water, it has. Scotland at risk of chernobyl like accident due to cracks in. Operator edf said it has no safety implications and will not affect the operation of the reactor. Hunterston b power station is a nuclear licensed site o perating two advanced gascooled reactors, known as reactors 3 and 4. Overview of briefing the nfla has remained concerned for some time about the safety problems at reactors 3 and 4 at the hunterston b nuclear power station in north ayrshire. Iaea pressed on hunterston restart safety case transceltic. Hunterston a nuclear power station west kilbride, north.
Prospective dose assessment of magnox, hunterston a power. Station boss colin weir says it will be the most intensive investigation so far, looking 25 per cent into the reactor. The nuclear power station at hunterston in north ayrshire has breached radiation safety rules and suffered five other problems with its safety. We are pleased to confirm that the independent nuclear safety regulator, onr, has given permission for edf energy to restart reactor 4 at hunterston b power station. Purpose the purpose of these meetings was for british energy to advise. The older reactor three at hunterston has an estimated 377 core cracks and has been shut down since 9 march 2018. Office for nuclear regulation onr quarterly site report. This twinreactor site was the largest in the world when it opened in 1969 and is currently being decommissioned by magnox on behalf of the nuclear decommissioning authority. Hunterston a nuclear power station, west kilbride, north ayrshire.
Hunterston nuclear power station a beauty spot youtube. Nuclear power education safety of nuclear power plants. Nuclear experts have warned of a chernobyllike catastrophic accident after more than 350 cracks were discovered in the power reactor at the hunterston plant in north ayrshire. In march 2018 hunterston reactor 3 came offline to carry out routine. Hunterston graphite inspections december 2018 edf energy. News environment cracked reactor at hunterston b safe to operate again, says nuclear regulation body a nuclear reactor at a power station will temporarily return to service after being shut down.
Prospective dose assessment of magnox, hunterston a. As a result, hunterston b reactor 3 remains shut down. An investigation has been launched into four safety incidents at a nuclear power station in scotland. The decision by an operator to close a nuclear power station permanently will only be taken after all aspects affecting power station life have been studied, and the potential safety, technical and financial implications of further operation have been assessed. Edf energy gets goahead to restart hunterston b reactor 4. The nuclear free local authorities nfla is concerned and seeks answers to reports of a number of safety incidents and a radioactive transport incident relating to the hunterston b nuclear. Cracks found at reactor at hunterston b nuclear power station. Apr 08, 2017 hunterston b and hinkley point b nuclear safety concerns. Hunterston b nuclear power station simple english wikipedia. It is currently operated by frances edf energy, and began producing electricity in 1976 hunterston bs two reactors have been shut down since 2018 because of safety concerns. Onr has also accepted edfs revised graphite core safety case for both sites, but has included a number of recommendations as part of this. The food standards agency has assessed the potential impact of radioactive waste discharges from the magnox power station at hunterston in response to the operator. The risks from western nuclear power plants, in terms of the consequences of an accident or terrorist attack, are minimal compared with other commonly accepted risks. Hunterston nuclear power station chiefs insist its safe to.
The nuclear safety results improved slightly in 2019. The onr has given permission for reactor 4 at the hunterston b power station to return to service following an assessment of cracks in its. The main conclusion is that the psr, as submitted, has a number of significant shortfalls. New cracks have been found in one of the reactors at hunterston b nuclear power station in north. The prolonged closure of nuclear reactor 3 at hunterston b in. Hunterston b nuclear power station is based in north ayrshire and has been operational since 1976 and was due to be decommissioned in 2006, a date which has since been pushed back to at least 2023 making hunterston one of the oldest nuclear power stations in europe. The storm caused loss of the electricity grid connections to hunterston b nuclear power station in. Hunterston b pouer station is a nuclear pouer station in north ayrshire, scotland. The acting secretary general cornel feruta international atomic energy agency po box 100 1400 vienna austria by email 20082019 dear. Hunterston b power station explaining graphite our commitment to your safety safety has always been and remains our number one priority. When hunterston b nuclear power station was operational, highly radioactive fuel burnt in its two reactors was regularly transported to sellafield for storage. Hunterston b and hinkley b were originally expected to close in 2011 after 35 years of operation.
Project assessment report unique document id and onrhnbpar. Radioactive waste wrongly sent to hunterston nuclear plant. Aug 27, 2010 hunterston, by the firth of clyde, is a coastal area in north ayrshire, scotland, which was the seat and estate of the hunter family. Concerns after six safety incidents at hunterston nuclear. The number of manual and automatic reactor trips has fallen. Mar 11, 2019 technical note on safety problems at reactors 3 and 4 at hunterston b nuclear power station near ardrossan, scotland. As nuclear power stations like hunterston b age, fine cracks occur in the graphite bricks which. Cracks found in nuclear reactor that could lead to the full evacuation of edinburgh and glasgow, edinburgh live, 26 apr 19,the hunterston b reactors in ayrshire are the oldest in europe, and dangerous cracks have been found, the two reactors at hunterston b nuclear power plant near ardrossan are 43 years old the oldest. Allegations that scores of fire safety lapses could trigger a serious accident at the hunterston b nuclear power station in north ayrshire are under investigation by the uk governments nuclear. Just a month before a powerful earthquake and tsunami crippled the fukushima daiichi plant, government regulators approved a 10year extension for the oldest of the six reactors at the power station despite warnings about its safety. Hunterston b nuclear power station was commissioned in 1976 and was designed with an operating life of approximately 35 years, i. Edinburgh is at serious risk from torness, as well as hunterston b, nuclear power stations. The date has twice been extended at edfs request and with the agreement of the office of nuclear regulation onr.
Explosion next to hunterston power station as emergency. Safety mechanisms at a canadian nuclear power station. Hunterston b no2nuclearpower 22 june 18 the prolonged closure of reactor 3 at hunterston b in north ayrshire is the beginning of the end for seven nuclear power stations in scotland and england. Hunterston b nuclear reactor to restart voice for arran. Hunterston a nuclear power station was a magnox power. Hunterston b in ayrshire closed last year after more than 350 cracks in a reactor were. It is locatit aboot 6 miles 9 km sooth o largs an aboot 2. Safety was built in from the very foundations at hunterston and the devices ranged from the massive concreete sheilding round the reactor vessels, 9ft thick at the sides and 10ft 6in thick across the top, to the sensitive. A reactor at edf energys hunterston b nuclear power plant in scotland will remain offline for additional safety checks after cracks were found in its core, britains office for nuclear regulation. Hunterston b power station is a nuclear power station in north ayrshire, scotland. Nfla concerned with reported safety and transport risks at.
Procedures manual for internal use by the staff of that agency. As nuclear power stations like hunterston b age, fine cracks occur in the graphite. Feb 09, 2016 in 2012 there was a discovery of problems with planned pipework routes during installation of the new nitrogen system tieins to the reactor 3 pressure vessel at french state owned edf hunterston b nuclear power station in scotland. The story of hunterston a nuclear power station, scotlands first civil power plant and worlds largest when built. Hunterston b nuclear power station was commissioned in 1976 and was designed with an operating life of approximately 35 years, ie for closure to occur in 2011. Hunterston b is a nuclear power station on the west coast of scotland. The area enclosed a 31km square, with hunterston nuclear power station at the centre, and was flown with a flight line spacing of 500m.
Cracked reactor at hunterston b safe to operate again. Edfs hunterston b power station is situated immediately to the north. Hunterston a nuclear pouer station wis a magnox nuclear pouer station locatit at hunterston in ayrshire, scotland, adjacent tae hunterston b an is currently bein decommissioned. Hunterston a nuclear power station was a magnox power station located at hunterston in ayrshire, scotland, adjacent to hunterston b and is currently being decommissioned contents 1 history. No one has been hurt in the incident and there was no danger to the public. In our view, hunterston b nuclear power station needs to be closed for safety reasons, but this should not be lamented because. Hunterston offsite emergency plan east ayrshire council. Permission requested under their arrangements made under licence condition 221, edf energy nuclear. One reactor ran for less than four months in 2019, but both are now shut awaiting safety assessments of proliferating cracks in their graphite cores. Over this period, the guidelines and experience of os art team. Both its nuclear reactors r3 and r4 have been out of operation due to. To continue to operate safely and reliably the reactor plant requires examination, inspection maintenance and testing.
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