The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has moved Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station into significantly-enhanced regulatory attention.
ONR has made the decision based on evidence gained from targeted engagements at the EDF-operated site that identified areas where safety improvements are required.
The significantly-enhanced regulatory attention level reflects the effort ONR is currently applying to influence improvements in areas including conventional health and safety, the number of site incidents and in the delivery of agreed performance improvements.
Importantly, Hartlepool remains safe to operate and ONR's ongoing inspections and assessments continue to support this view.
However, the increased level of regulatory attention indicates the additional effort required for ONR to gain such confidence.
Dan Hasted, ONR’s Director of Regulation for Operating Facilities, said: “When required, we place sites into significantly-enhanced attention to achieve improved performance in specific areas. This is a key part of our role as an independent regulator.
“EDF is committed to delivering a range of improvements at Hartlepool, and we are overseeing this.
“Through our enabling regulatory approach, we are working constructively with the licensee to ensure all these issues are addressed.”
The Hartlepool site has two advanced gas-cooled reactors which started generating electricity in 1983.
Regulatory attention levels are set by ONR based on an assessment of overall performance.
This considers a broad range of safety and operational factors, reflecting judgements across nuclear safety, nuclear site health and safety and, where applicable, civil nuclear security.
Hear more from Dan Hasted about the site's move into significantly-enhanced attention: