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Cracks found at Hunterston nuclear power station | Cracks found at Hunterston nuclear power station |
(35 minutes later) | |
New cracks have been found in one of the reactors at the Hunterston B nuclear power station in Ayrshire, the BBC has learned. | New cracks have been found in one of the reactors at the Hunterston B nuclear power station in Ayrshire, the BBC has learned. |
The plant's operator, EDF Energy, has insisted the cracking was predicted to occur as the station ages. | The plant's operator, EDF Energy, has insisted the cracking was predicted to occur as the station ages. |
The firm said the issue would not affect the safe operation of the reactor. | The firm said the issue would not affect the safe operation of the reactor. |
But anti-nuclear campaigners said it highlighted a potential problem for similar reactors around the UK. | But anti-nuclear campaigners said it highlighted a potential problem for similar reactors around the UK. |
The cracks were found during a routine inspection which began in August. | The cracks were found during a routine inspection which began in August. |
Two of about 3,000 graphite bricks in the core of reactor four at Hunterston are affected. | Two of about 3,000 graphite bricks in the core of reactor four at Hunterston are affected. |
These cracks have occurred since the last inspection in 2011. | These cracks have occurred since the last inspection in 2011. |
EDF Energy said the cracking was predicted to happen as the plant gets older. | EDF Energy said the cracking was predicted to happen as the plant gets older. |
Colin Weir, station director at Hunterston, said: "The graphite core is made up of around 6,000 bricks. | |
"During the outage we found two bricks with a new crack which is what we predicted during Hunterston B's lifetime as a result of extensive research and modelling. | |
"It will not affect the operation of this reactor and we also expect that a few additional cracks will occur during the next period of operation. | |
He added: "The small number of cracked bricks found during routine inspection is in line with our expectations; the findings have no safety implications and are well within any limits for safe operation agreed with our regulator." | |
The reactor returned to service on Sunday evening, after the energy firm received approval from the Office for Nuclear Regulation. | The reactor returned to service on Sunday evening, after the energy firm received approval from the Office for Nuclear Regulation. |
Hunterston B has two advanced gas-cooled reactors, similar to those found at nuclear plants around the UK. | Hunterston B has two advanced gas-cooled reactors, similar to those found at nuclear plants around the UK. |
Hunterston began operating in 1976 and its working life has already been extended to 2023 - well beyond its planned closure date. | Hunterston began operating in 1976 and its working life has already been extended to 2023 - well beyond its planned closure date. |
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said news of the cracks at Hunterston highlighted the importance of embracing "cleaner, safer forms of energy". | WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said news of the cracks at Hunterston highlighted the importance of embracing "cleaner, safer forms of energy". |
He added: "These cracks are a sign that we can expect these nuclear facilities to become increasingly unreliable in the future. | He added: "These cracks are a sign that we can expect these nuclear facilities to become increasingly unreliable in the future. |
"As Scotland continues to grow its renewables capacity we can look forward to a day when we can switch off nuclear power for good." | "As Scotland continues to grow its renewables capacity we can look forward to a day when we can switch off nuclear power for good." |