You will be aware that when ONR gave permission for Reactor 4 to restart in August that it was based on a power output of 16.025TWh; depending on the performance of the unit that equated to around 4 months of operation. I’m delighted to say that Reactor 4 has been operating safely and efficiently since it returned to service but as a consequence the power output outlined in the current safety case is due to be reached in December 2019. Any extension to the operating time would need to be agreed with the ONR. We are continuing to work on the safety cases for Hunterston B but we now expect Reactor 4 to come offline on 10 December 2019. Having clarity on this date allows us to plan plant operations over the next few months. Once we have taken the unit offline we will carry out further graphite inspections and report the results to the ONR. I am proud of the performance of the unit and the team at Hunterston B since the reactor returned to service in August. Energy market rules require us to provide our most likely view of return to service dates. For Reactor 4 this is now 15 February 2020. The date for Reactor 3 remains unchanged at 15 January 2020.
EDF Energy 8th Nov 2019 read more »