- Site: Hunterston B
- IR number: 21-066
- Date: August 2021
- LC numbers: 22
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned inspection of EDF Energy (EDFE) Nuclear Generation Ltd.’s Hunterston B Power Station, undertaken as part of the planned intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
The work was carried out in accordance with the planned inspection programme contained in the Hunterston B Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2021/22.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
As part of this intervention the nominated site inspector for Hunterston B carried out a compliance inspection against:
- Licence condition (LC) 22 – Modification or experiment on existing plant.
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
The site inspector also held meetings to monitor the progress being made to increase fire safety awareness at the station.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
No system based inspection was undertaken hence, this is not applicable for this intervention.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
The inspection examined the plans for management of plant configuration control during the defuelling phase of operations. The inspection sought to understand the totality of the planned configuration changes to plant, the arrangements for controlling the assessment of cumulative effects on safety from separate modifications and the management of potential interface conflicts and unforeseen consequences that may arise.
The station has recognised these risks and a number of enhancements to the modification requirements are being developed. These include making further use of the Defuelling Configuration Process Safety Review Group to provide management oversight, control and authorisation of the configuration changes. The nominated inspector will continue to monitor the development and implementation of these enhancements to the modification control process as part of the routine regulatory interactions at station.
Conclusion of Intervention
From this inspection of LC22 that examined configuration control during defuelling at Hunterston B, there were no findings that could significantly undermine nuclear safety. Therefore a rating of Green, no formal action, was assigned to the inspection.