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Calls for permanent shutdown of Hunterston nuclear reactor 3, with its 350 cracks

The National 22nd Nov 2018 NUCLEAR experts have warned of a Chernobyl-like “catastrophic accident”
after more than 350 cracks were discovered in the power reactor at the
Hunterston plant in North Ayrshire. This breaches the Government’s agreed
safety limit and has prompted calls for a permanent shutdown. Hunterston’s
operator, EDF Energy, insist the reactor is safe.
Reactor three at Hunterston B nuclear power station originally started generating
electricity in 1976, and is the oldest in the UK. It was closed in March
this year to allow inspectors to probe for cracks.
The reactor was initially due to restart on 30 March, but the date has been repeatedly
postponed as more cracks have been found. EDF is now hoping for permission
from the UK government’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to fire up the
reactor on 18 December. It follows a long-running investigation by the
Ferret website. In April they revealed that new cracks had been discovered
in the reactor, but at the time neither EDF nor the ONR would say how many.
In May, EDF said that 39 cracks had been found and they were “happening at
a slightly higher rate than modelled”. But yesterday, the website reported
that more than 350 cracks had been discovered.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/17239354.nuclear-expert-warns-of-chernobyl-like-disaster-at-scottish-plant/

November 24, 2018 - Posted by | general

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