NRS submits applications for decommissioning of Hunterston B site

Hunterston B (PHOTO: NRS)

The applications were made to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). NRS applied to ONR to become the duty holder for the site licence, while NRS and EDF jointly requested a transfer of the site’s environmental permit for radioactive substances activities.

The transfer of the site is scheduled for spring 2026. It is expected to be the first of seven Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) sites to move from EDF to NRS following defuelling.

Dr Andrew Munro, NRS managing director for the AGR and paired NRS sites, said: “We’re delighted and proud to submit these applications, representing almost two years of collaboration and hard work between NRS and, EDF, and our regulatory colleagues.

“We’ll now work with the regulators as they assess the applications and continue our exciting preparations for Hunterston B and the other AGR sites to become part of NRS, taking forward the important work of decommissioning the sites for all our futures.”

Paul Morton, EDF’s Nuclear Decommissioning Director, said: “I wholeheartedly welcome the huge progress being made to ensure the required licences and permits will be in place to support the transfer of Hunterston B next year.

“In particular, the delivery of the first environmental permit transfer application for an AGR in the UK has been a significant piece of joint working between EDF and NRS. There is still lots to do but knowing the application has been submitted to SEPA three months ahead of schedule is a real confidence boost for everyone involved.”

The UK Government confirmed in 2021 that AGR sites would transfer to NRS, which is part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group. Hunterston B will be the first to transfer, followed by Hinkley Point B.

According to NRS, Dungeness B, Hartlepool, Heysham 1, Heysham 2 and Torness will also follow in due course.

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