Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) has today assumed responsibility as site licensee for Hinkley Point B following approval from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
This marks a significant milestone for Hinkley Point B as it becomes the first Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) site in England to transfer from EDF to NRS, following the successful transfer of Hunterston B in Scotland earlier this year.
As a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, NRS will lead decommissioning work at the Somerset site on behalf of the UK government.
Hinkley Point B generated electricity between 1976 and 2022. Both reactors on the site have now been successfully defueled which has been overseen by ONR.
The decision to grant NRS a site licence follows a rigorous assessment by ONR’s specialist inspectors, who are satisfied that NRS has demonstrated the necessary capability and competence to hold the licence.
It is vital for the continued safety of the workforce and the public that nuclear facilities no longer generating energy are adequately maintained and that decommissioning and dismantling is progressed in a timely manner.
Tom Eagleton, ONR’s Head of Safety for Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste sites, said: “This is a significant milestone for Hinkley Point B, as it becomes the first AGR site in England to move across to NRS.
“Reaching this point has taken several years and involved close collaboration and partnership with government, the NDA group, EDF, Environment Agency, and the Nuclear Liabilities Fund to prepare the site for transfer.
“Throughout the process, we have seen strong evidence to support NRS’ site licence application, and we are satisfied it has the skills and capability to safely decommission the site.”
As the site enters decommissioning and the next stage of its lifecycle, ONR will continue to regulate safety and security across the site and carry out a regular programme of inspections.
Learn more about decommissioning.