EDF Plans Early Closure of Hunterston Nuclear Plant in Scotland

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The U.K. arm of French energy major Électricité de France SA (EPA:EDF) (Paris) has announced early closure plans for the Hunterston B nuclear power plant in Scotland.

The news came as EDF Energy revealed the temporary restart of units 3 and 4 at the plant during August and September. Both units have been offline since 2018 after cracks were found in the graphite bricks that form the reactor core. The company said Unit 3 is back online since August 30 while Unit 4 will be restarted on September 17. However, the company confirmed that Hunterston B will move into the defuelling phase by January 2022, a year earlier than expected. EDF said that "given the age of the station and the desire to provide clarity for our staff, the community and business partners, EDF has decided that Hunterston B will move into the defuelling phase no later than 7 January 2022". Hunterston B started generating electricity in 1976, and in 2012 EDF extended the generating life of the station out to March 2023 with the option to close it early.

Matt Sykes, managing director for EDF's Generation business, said: "Hunterston B has quietly delivered a major contribution to the U.K. for more than 40 years. It has far exceeded its original remit and, over its lifetime, gone on to safely produce enough low-carbon energy to power the whole of Scotland for eight years. We didn't know back in the 1960s, when these plants were designed, just how important low-carbon energy would become. We owe all those that designed, built, commissioned and still operate the station a huge debt of gratitude. Our focus is on continuing to safely deliver the last period of power generation and then transition the station into decommissioning."

Simone Rossi, EDF's U.K. chief executive officer, added: "Today's announcement underlines the urgent need for investment in new, low-carbon nuclear power to help Britain achieve net zero and secure the future for its nuclear industry, supply chain and workers." EDF is building European pressurised water reactors (EPRs) at Hinkley Point C and developing plans for a replica plant at Sizewell C. It also has a minority stake in the Bradwell B project.

In August Industrial Info reported that COVID-19 had delayed the construction of two new EDF nuclear plants, forcing startup dates to be moved. The company announced that it expects noticeable delays with the Flamanville 3 project in France and the Hinkley Point C (HPC) project in the U.K.. For additional information, see August 18, 2020, article--French and U.K. Nuclear Projects Delayed by COVID-19.

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