ONR approves Hinkley Point B site licence transfer to NRS
It is the first AGR site in England to move from EDF to NRS, after Hunterston B in Scotland transferred earlier this year.
Key facts
- Both reactors defueled; Hinkley Point B generated electricity from 1976 to 2022
- NRS is an NDA subsidiary and will lead decommissioning at the Somerset site
- Licence granted after ONR inspectors assessed NRS capability and competence
- Transfer prepared with government, NDA group, EDF, Environment Agency and Nuclear Liabilities Fund
- ONR will keep regulating safety and security with a regular inspection programme
Nuclear Restoration Services assumed responsibility as site licensee for Hinkley Point B on October 1, after the Office for Nuclear Regulation approved the transfer.
Hinkley Point B is the first Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor site in England to move from EDF to NRS, following the transfer of Hunterston B in Scotland earlier this year. NRS, a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, will lead decommissioning at the Somerset site on behalf of the UK government.
The station generated electricity between 1976 and 2022. Both reactors have been defueled, a process ONR oversaw.
ONR granted the license after an assessment by its specialist inspectors, who said they were satisfied NRS has demonstrated the necessary capability and competence to hold it. Tom Eagleton, ONR's head of safety for decommissioning, fuel and waste sites, said reaching the transfer took several years and involved collaboration with the government, the NDA group, EDF, the Environment Agency and the Nuclear Liabilities Fund.
ONR will continue to regulate safety and security at the site and carry out a regular program of inspections.
