Next page in Hinkley Point B's story as it's officially transferred for decommissioning
It generated enough zero-carbon electricity to power every home in the South West of England for 33 years before ceasing operations in 2022
Today, Hinkley Point B nuclear power station in Somerset has officially been transferred from EDF to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for decommissioning.
The site will be managed by Nuclear Restoration Services, a subsidiary of the NDA, which is already in charge of decommissioning the adjacent Hinkley Point A site.
Hinkley Point B, known for its role as the first British-designed Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor to export electricity to the national grid in 1976, generated enough zero-carbon electricity to power every home in the South West of England for 33 years before ceasing operations in 2022.
As part of the transition, approximately 250 skilled workers previously employed by EDF at the site will be transferred to NRS, bringing their knowledge and experience to safely decommission the site.
NDA Group CEO David Peattie commented on the significance of the transition, stating, "As our mission continues to expand, we’re proud to draw on decades of expertise, applying proven skills, innovation and experience to safely decommission the AGR fleet."
He added, "We are safely cleaning up sites and managing waste, preparing land for alternative uses, as well as sustaining national capability, supporting local communities, and giving confidence that the UK will manage its nuclear legacy responsibly."
Energy Minister Michael Shanks spoke on the historical importance of Hinkley Point B, saying, "Today’s transfer marks an important new chapter for Hinkley Point B, which has played a key role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and will continue to support around 250 skilled jobs as it enters safe decommissioning."
He further highlighted, "As we deliver the biggest expansion of nuclear power in a generation, we are backing both the skilled jobs needed to decommission our historic sites safely and the 42,000 jobs helping build the next generation of clean, homegrown nuclear power."
NRS CEO Rob Fletcher welcomed the teamwork and local expertise developed through work at Hinkley Point A, saying, "We’re proud to welcome our new colleagues from EDF into the NDA group. We already have deep local experience at Hinkley through our work at Hinkley Point A, where strong relationships have been built and significant progress has been made in restoration, innovation and preparing facilities for their next chapter."
With the transfer of Hinkley Point B to NDA, Fletcher anticipates a collaborative effort that will strengthen local capability and ensure the safe and secure decommissioning of the site.
John Munro, Managing Director of EDF Nuclear Operations, reflected on Hinkley Point B’s pioneering role, stating, "Hinkley Point B was the first nuclear station of its type to begin generating in 1976 – all those that followed, and indeed this industry, have learned a huge amount from all it has accomplished."
He praised the teams involved, remarking, "It has been a trailblazer and now it, and the dedicated teams who have made it the national asset it is, have a new task at hand – one I am sure they will deliver to the highest standard and with the ceaseless professionalism we have all benefitted from over the last decades."
This transition is part of a long-term plan involving the NDA, EDF, the Office for Nuclear Regulation, Environment Agency, and Nuclear Liabilities Fund working in partnership to prepare the site for its new phase.
Significant groundwork has been laid over the past five years, including the defueling of the reactor completed on time and on budget.
Over three years, more than 4,900 elements of spent fuel were removed and safely packaged for transport to Sellafield, NDA’s largest site, for storage.
Hinkley Point B is the second Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor site to transition to NDA for decommissioning, following Hunterston B earlier this year.
The nuclear programme is supported by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund, as Chief Executive Melissa Hope noted, "The transfer of Hinkley Point B marks another significant milestone in the UK’s nuclear programme and demonstrates what can be achieved through effective partnership working."
She stated, “NLF’s ring-fenced funding will support the ongoing decommissioning of the station, helping to sustain the skilled jobs, specialist expertise and local supply chains needed to deliver this nationally important mission.”
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “Hinkley Point B is a powerful example of the contribution nuclear power has made to this country: it generated more clean British power in its time than any other station in our history, and it provided good jobs and billions in investment for local communities.
“As the site moves into decommissioning, the skilled and expert workforce will continue to ensure the site is managed safely and responsibly while retaining the skills and capabilities we need for the future of the UK’s nuclear industry.”