EDF Energy has delayed restarting two nuclear reactors at Hunterston in Ayrshire because of growing concerns about their safety. In the last few months, 370 cracks have been identified in the graphite core of reactor three and an estimated 200 cracks have been found in reactor four. The Office for Nuclear Regulation, a government quango, says the operational safety limit is 350. Nuclear policy consultant and CND council member, Dr Ian Fairlie, has warned that restarting the reactors could lead to a major nuclear accident.
CNDUK 19th March 2019 read more »
Hunterston Port is a unique economic asset for Ayrshire, Scotland and the UK. The site in the country offers Hunterston’s unrivalled combination of deep-water, extensive land and transport links. The location is probably best known for the coal imports that helped to fuel much of Scotland’s energy production for many years. However, in recent years, the change in government energy policy away from fossil fuels towards renewable sources has meant that role no longer exists. Although this shift only happened in recent years, it has been long in the making. Going back as far as 2003, operator Peel Ports was publicly discussing alternative futures for the site, recognising the likely long-term direction of government policy on fossil fuels.
Herald 20th March 2019 read more »
