Hunterston B nuclear power station set to close down early

EDF will begin decommissioning its Hunterston B nuclear power plant in Scotland by January 2022.

The plant, which began operations in 1976, has two reactors, called 3 and 4, capable together of generating enough electricity to power 1.7 million homes.

It had regulatory approval to operate until March 2023, but both reactors were taken offline in 2018 after cracks were found in the graphite bricks that form the reactor core.

“EDF has decided that Hunterston B will move into the defuelling phase no later than January 7, 2022,” EDF said yesterday.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation gave permission for reactor 3 to restart for six months, after which time more checks will be carried out.

Reactor 4 has been in operation for six months since its closure in 2018, but has not operated this year.