- Site: Hunterston B
- IR number: 22-043
- Date: June 2022
- LC numbers: 11
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 2022/23.
Interventions carried out by ONR
As part of this intervention the nominated site inspectors for Hunterston B and Hinkley Point B and End of Generation project inspector carried out a compliance inspection against:
Licence condition (LC) 11 – Emergency arrangements
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the area inspected.
The site inspector also held meetings to monitor the progress being made on the End of Generation and Defuelling projects 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 assessed the implementation of the station emergency arrangements via a Level 1 demonstration exercise. The exercise scenario was targeted towards the fuel route and required the station to respond to nuclear and conventional safety scenarios and to recover simulated casualties.
Whilst several aspects of the emergency response arrangements went well, ONR judged the exercise to be an inadequate demonstration. The station did not fully confirm the nuclear safety status of the fuel route plant and the time to recover and treat some casualties was excessive.
Conclusion of Intervention
ONR has written to the station to confirm our view that the exercise was not a wholly adequate demonstration of the LC 11 emergency arrangements. The inspection was rated Amber, seek improvement, and station has made a commitment to re-demonstrate its emergency arrangements in the coming months.