The UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has overseen defuelling of one of the two reactors (units 3&4) at EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point B NPP in Somerset. Work at has reactor 4 has been completed and similar work is due to start at reactor 3.
The removed nuclear fuel will be transported by rail to Sellafield in Cumbria for storage. Throughout the defuelling, ONR will continue to regulate the site with a clear focus on post operations, when nuclear plants should move seamlessly into cleanout, decommissioning and dismantling.
Hinkley Point B was the first of the UK’s Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) and moved into its defuelling phase in August 2022 after 46 years of electricity generation. Once the power station is fuel-free, the nuclear site licence will then be transferred to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for its subsidiary Nuclear Restoration Services to carry out decommissioning work.
Mike Webb, ONR’s Head of Operating Reactors Sub-Division, said: “Since Hinkley Point B ceased generating, our inspectors have been focused on regulating the defuelling phase of the station. Defuelling is the process of safely removing the spent nuclear fuel from the reactors, which removes the vast majority of the radioactive hazard.” He added: “We will continue to effectively and efficiently regulate the Hinkley Point B site throughout the entire defuelling and decommissioning phase to ensure the licensee complies with all regulations to safeguard workers and the public.”
ONR has also received an application from EDF to decommission Hinkley Point B and is inviting comments and feedback from all stakeholders on the environmental statement to help inform our decision on the application.
EDF had originally been responsible for total lifetime decommissioning of the seven AGR plants, which comprise Torness and Hunterston B in Scotland, Dungeness B in Kent, Hartlepool in Teesside, Heysham 1 and 2 in Lancashire and Hinkley Point B in Somerset. However, under a 2021 agreement with the UK Government, EDF will seek to shorten the time it takes to remove the fuel from the plants as they come offline, before working to transfer ownership of the stations to the NDA.
Currently Hunterston B, Hinkley Point B and Dungeness B are currently in the defuelling stage. Four AGR plants are operating. Heysham 1 and Hartlepool are currently expected to close in March 2026. Heysham 2 and Torness are due to close March 2028. However, EDF said it will “continue to review lifetimes to ensure the four generating stations can continue to support the UK’s energy security for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so”.
