Cracks found in bricks at core of Ayrshire nuclear power station reactor

Cracks have been discovered in the core of one of two nuclear reactors at the Hunterston B power station in Ayrshire.

Operator EDF energy said inspections on the station’s other reactor found similar results in October 2014 but that the cracks were predicted to start happening at this point in the station’s lifetime and were well within safety limits.

The graphite core of the reactor is composed of 6,000 graphite bricks. EDF said the structure is designed to contain many redundant bricks, meaning a very large number of bricks would need to crack before there were any significant safety concerns.

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Energy minister Fergus Ewing said: “The reactor operator has provided assurances that there are no immediate safety implications affecting Hunterston-B, and that it is safe to continue generating electricity. At the same time, this development does illustrate that Scotland’s nuclear facilities have a limited lifespan and we need to put in place longer term energy alternatives.”

Station director Colin Weir said: “Nuclear safety drives everything we do. This means we work within very large safety margins.”

He added: “It is accepted by our regulators and materials experts that cracks will occur in some of the bricks and that the core will lose some of its mass as part of the normal ageing process.

“The observations were anticipated and are in line with our understanding, so our view of the best estimate lifetime planning date of 2023 has not changed.”

But while EDF sought to allay concerns, WWF Scotland warned the fact that cracks had been found in both Hunterston reactors was a sign “the problem is spreading and that we can expect this facility to become even more unreliable in the future”.

The station began operations in 1976 and was originally planned to close in 2011. Its working life has since been extended to 2023.

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “News of more cracks in the country's ageing fleet of nuclear power stations underscores why we're right to be taking steps to harness cleaner, safer forms of energy. It also highlights the need for us to be shifting our focus from relying on large energy generation like coal and nuclear power to capturing the hidden value of managing our demand better – this is an essential tool that we must use if we are to cut bills and realise our full renewable potential.”

Secretary of State for Energy Amber Rudd yesterday announced plans to build new gas-fired power stations while investing in new nuclear plants.

Rudd said the UK's remaining coal-fired power stations will be phased out 2025.

Ewing added: “Just yesterday the UK Government recognised belatedly that its policies have weakened energy security and pushed up bills but they continue to miss opportunities to put in place new plans to address the gaps in UK energy policy, with few if any new actual incentives to drive energy generation. Their policy is inconsistent in terms of getting the best deal for bill payers, incoherent in terms of reducing carbon emissions and is proving ineffectual in terms of ensuring security of supply.

“The Scottish Government is opposed to the building of new nuclear capacity in Scotland, as it would divert billions of pounds away from renewable alternatives where Scotland has a key competitive advantage. Subject to strict safety considerations, extending the operating life of Scotland’s existing nuclear stations can help to maintain security of supply while the transition to renewables and cleaner thermal generation takes place.”