- Site: Dungeness B
- IR number: 19-050
- Date: July 2019
- LC numbers: N/A
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The purpose of this intervention was to attend a series of meetings covering the Annual Review of Safety (ARoS) and the Emergency Preparedness Consultation Committee at EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd’s (NGL) Dungeness B Power Station (DNB). This intervention was undertaken as part of a series of planned interventions that are listed in the DNB Integrated Intervention Strategy 2019/2020.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
As nominated Site Inspector, supported by the ONR security inspector and the head of Operating Reactors we attended the DNB ARoS meeting covering the period for the 1 April 2018 to the 31 March 2019. The ARoS was conducted in accordance with EDF Energy’s internal process and was compatible with ONR guidance document NS-INSP-GD-058.
In addition, the site inspector attended the emergency preparedness consultation committee (EPCC) meeting and undertook intelligence gathering activities in observing part of a ‘duly authorised person’ (DAP) interview for a reactor desk engineer. The site inspector and the head of operating reactors also held discussions with the Station Director and members of the senior leadership team covering the DNB improvement intervention strategy and the return to service plan for reactors 21 and 22.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not Applicable – no system based inspections were completed during this intervention.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
The ARoS was conducted over two half days consisting a plant walk on the first half day followed by a half day meeting. The following areas were covered:
- External plant and new pipelines
- RCA
- Fuelling machine
- Pile cap
- Boilers (SS/5 valves)
- Gas circulators
- Waste Treatment Facility & Laundry
- Central Control Room
- Workshops
ONR feedback to the station was that the pace of physical changes at the station was significant; many of the trench covers have been replaced following completion of some of the event recovery work replacing corroded pipelines and supports. ONR also noted that the waste treatment facility and Laundry areas were observed to be in a good state of housekeeping. However, ONR did observe that redundant plant above the laundry roof was in a very poor state, which the station acknowledged required a post event recovery plan.
The ARoS meeting was well attended with contributions from all station departments. Overall it was concluded by all that it had been an interesting but difficult year for the site. Significant investment at the station had been recognised, however the station has a significant maintenance backlog, a large number of regulatory issues to address and has reported a number of reportable events including an INES 2 event (International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale).
ONR’s meeting with the Station Director and members of the senior leadership team who are supporting the station’s proposed recovery and return to service action plans included a presentation and discussion of the station’s proposals. In general the meeting was open and transparent, with both parties agreeing future engagements are key to ensuring that progress of the recovery plan and return to service activities is fully understood and transparent.
Conclusion of Intervention
This was a positive meeting covering many topic and plant areas. .At present, no additional regulatory action is needed over and above the current and planned interventions at DNB Power Station.