Hinkley Point B Defuelling
Somerset, UK · Operations 1976-2022, Defuelling 2022-2025 (expected) · Part of EDF Energy's decommissioning budget
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe defuelling of the first reactor was completed in September 2024, a significant milestone in the decommissioning process. - The entire plant was declared fuel-free in January 2026, marking the end of the defuelling phase. - The project highlights the meticulous planning and execution required for safe and efficient defuelling of nuclear power plants. - Lessons learned will inform future AGR defuelling projects in the UK.
Key engineering challenges
Safely removing all nuclear fuel from the reactors after 46 years of operation. - Managing the complex logistics of fuel transport and storage. - Ensuring radiological safety for workers during defuelling operations. - Transitioning the site from operational to decommissioning phase.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- EDF Energy
- Lead contractor
- EDF Energy
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- decommissioning
- Scale
- Two Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGR), 1 GW total capacity
- Disciplines
- nuclear; mechanical; electrical; remote handling; waste management; safety
- Standards & frameworks
- ONR
Sources: World Nuclear News: First Hinkley Point B reactor free of fuel (https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/first-hinkley-point-b-reactor-free-of-fuel) - World Nuclear News: Hinkley Point B plant declared free of fuel (https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/hinkley-point-b-plant-declared-free-of-fuel) - Wikipedia: Hinkley Point B nuclear power station (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinkley_Point_B_nuclear_power_station) - ONR: Hinkley Point B (https://www.onr.org.uk/our-work/what-we-regulate/operational-power-stations/operational-sitesfacilites/hinkley-point-b) - BBC News: Hinkley Point B to begin 95-year decommissioning plan (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c986pvg41y2o)