Press release from BNFL
20th Feb 2003
Further details have been published to support the decommissioning of Hinkley Point A Power Station.
Just over 12 months ago, a comprehensive Environmental Statement was produced and submitted to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE organised extensive consultation lasting six months. As well as a number of organisations and interested parties, members of the public were able to comment on the document.
The HSE has now asked Magnox Electric to respond to a number of mainly technical issues raised as a result of the original consultation. They relate to issues such as any temporary buildings which may be required during decommissioning, the treatment of non-radioactive wastes and what sort of infill materials will be used.
Station Manager Joe Lamonby said: “Our response simply focuses on the issues on which we have been asked to provide clarification on and we are still expecting the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate will give us permission to begin decommissioning within the next few months.
“Defuelling has been continuing for just over 12 months and we have already removed about a third of the fuel from the reactors.”
The document is being sent to the same organisations as the original Environmental Statement was sent to and copies for inspection by the public will be made available from 21 February 2003 at a number of locations including Stogursey Post Office, Nether Stowey Library and St Mary’s Church, Cannington. The consultation period will last until 31 March 2003.
During the initial consultation period, presentations on decommissioning were given to a number of local authorities and other organisations and hundreds of leaflets were sent to local people and made available throughout Somerset.
The initial Environmental Statement was the first to be published in connection with decommissioning a nuclear power station in the UK – and followed new legislation introduced in 1999.
A decision was made on business grounds in May 2000 to close Hinkley Point A ahead of its planned shut down date. Since then some preparatory work has been going on for decommissioning and once all the fuel has been removed from site around 99 per cent of the radioactivity will also have gone.
Decommissioning Hinkley Point A ultimately involves the total clearance of the power station site. In the early phase this will involve alterations to the two reactor buildings, the removal of all other buildings – including the giant turbine hall - and construction of a new store to contain packaged intermediate level radioactive waste until a national repository is available. This waste has been generated during the life of the station and includes fuel can debris, filter sludges and resins. The two reactor buildings will be weatherproofed and made secure until they are removed in around 100 years time and the site totally cleared.
Throughout the whole process, safety to the public, workforce
and protection of the environment, will remain the top priority.
