Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this intervention was to carry out a planned inspection of compliance with site licence condition (LC) 11 (emergency arrangements) at EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd.’s (NGL’s) Hinkley Point B Power Station. The inspection was in accordance with ONR’s integrated intervention strategy for the site.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC 11 - Emergency arrangements - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
A review of the emergency exercise requirements post the transition from generation to defueling was undertaken against the EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd.’s Hinkley Point B power station arrangements for compliance with Licence Condition 11 (Emergency Arrangements). This intervention was undertaken at the station and consisted of discussions with staff and a review of documentation.
The station uses the corporate guidance to plan emergency exercises, with exercise objectives set on a 3-year rolling programme. The guidance assigns a theme to each station for their annual exercise season and level 1 demonstration exercise. In addition a range of variants to the standard core objectives for site based emergency exercises are specified.
The transition to defueling has resulted in a reduction in the hazard profile on site and the conditions that could result in an accident or emergency. Whilst we were satisfied that the stations emergency exercises were planned in accordance with the corporate guidance, we noted that there had been no formal review or associated guidance to align the exercises with defueling operations and the reduction in hazard profile. Regulatory advice was therefore given to align the emergency exercise programme with the reduced fault scenarios associated with defuelling.
Conclusion
In our opinion the emergency exercises programme at Hinkley Point B power station is being developed and delivered in accordance the licensee’s arrangements made under LC11. We therefore judge that the Hinkley Point B Power Station has adequately implemented the corporate arrangements for LC11 (Emergency Arrangements) and consider that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is merited.