The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has issued a compliance notice in respect of Heysham 1 nuclear plant operated by EDF this week: Here’s the detail:
http://news.onr.org.uk/…/onr-issues-direction-to…/
Heysham 1 has had a troubled life in recent years; it was shut down in 2013 when a defect was found in its boiler pods. The station again was off line in 2014 with a crack in the boiler spine of one of the reactors. A comparable plant at Hartlepool was also closed for checks. The ONR do not normally publish details of unscheduled shutdowns at nuclear plants an issue the Celtic League raised with the regulator some years ago.
Heysham 1 had been due to close this year but its operational life has been extended until 2024.
As far as I’m aware neither the Manx or Irish governments have sought information about the service life extension of nuclear plants and the risk assessments undertaken by the operators and ONR.
Image: Heysham 1.
Bernard Moffatt
Assistant General Secretary Celtic League (27th January 2021)
