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Hinkley Point B - comprising two Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) - was first synchronised to the electricity grid in February 1976. The plant generated more than 311 terawatt-hours of electricity before it was permanently shut down in August 2022. Since then, both reactors at the site have been defueled in advance of the site moving into its decommissioning phase.
In September last year, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) received an application from EDF Energy to decommission Hinkley Point B and invited comments and feedback from all stakeholders on the environmental statement to help inform its decision on the application.
Following a public consultation and a detailed assessment by ONR specialist inspectors of EDF's environmental statement and Habitats Regulations Assessment, the ONR has now approved EDF Energy’s plans for decommissioning the plant.
The environmental statement included a detailed environmental impact assessment for the proposed decommissioning project at the site, along with mitigation measures designed to prevent or reduce any significant adverse environmental impacts. ONR said it is satisfied that the environmental statement proposes adequate mitigation measures to address the adverse environmental impacts of the decommissioning project and considers the statement "to be complete, of the right quality, and in line with relevant good practice".
The Hinkley Point B nuclear site will be transferred from EDF to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. NRS will decommission the site, which will involve dismantling and demolishing the plant and buildings as well site clearance and restoration.
"After careful assessment and public consultation, we are satisfied that EDF's decommissioning plans for Hinkley Point B include appropriate measures to protect people and the environment," said Dan Hasted, ONR Director of Regulation – Operating Facilities Directorate. "We will continue to proportionately regulate the Hinkley Point B site throughout the decommissioning phase to ensure the licensee complies with applicable legislation to safeguard workers and the public."
All seven of the UK's AGR plants - which comprise Torness and Hunterston B in Scotland, Dungeness B in Kent, Hartlepool in Teesside, Heysham 1 and 2 in Lancashire and Hinkley Point B in Somerset - are scheduled to be shut down by 2028.
Four AGR plants are still in operation. Hartlepool and Heysham 1 are currently expected to operate until March 2026 and March 2027, respectively. Heysham 2 and Torness are currently due to generate until March 2030.
