nuclear-news

New chapter begins in Hinkley Point B decommissioning

 A new chapter has begun at Hinkley Point B as the former nuclear power
station enters an 85-year decommissioning programme. The Somerset site
stopped generating electricity in 2022 after nearly 46 years and has been
transferred from EDF to the Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), which will
oversee it dismantling. The move will see about 250 workers transfer to the
organisation, including some from families who have worked at Hinkley for
generations.

NRS is also decommissioning neighbouring Hinkley Point A and
CEO Rob Fletcher said “we look forward to working together across both
sites” to “deliver safe, secure decommissioning for the benefit of the
community”. Before the site could be transferred, engineers spent three
years to defuel the reactor at Hinkley B, with more than 4,900 elements of
spent fuel removed and packaged before being taken to Sellafield for safe
storage.

The first phase, which will last until 2038, includes the
dismantling of all buildings and plant materials except for the site’s
safestore structure. This facility will be used to store and manage the
residential nuclear waste from the power station. The second phase will see
“a period of relative inactivity” of up to 70 years from 2039, to allow for
the radioactive materials within the safestore to safely decay. The final
phase will see the former reactor and debris vaults being dismantled and
removed.

 BBC 1st Oct 2026,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvlyldpzr4zyo

October 4, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | decommission reactor, UK