Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
- February 2025
Aim of inspection
- To provide regulatory confidence in the implementation of the Heysham 2 Reactor 7 Statutory Outage Intentions Document in relation to Mechanical Engineering.
- To provide evidence to inform the ONR decision relating to the issue of a Licence Instrument for a Consent for return to service of Heysham 2 Reactor 7, on completion of the work.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC28 - Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
Site Licence Condition 30 requires EDF Nuclear Generation Limited to periodically shutdown. This is for Examination, Inspection, Maintenance and Testing of equipment important to nuclear safety.
This intervention was a Mechanical Engineering 'Licence Condition 28 - Examination, Inspection, Maintenance and Testing' Compliance Inspection. The intervention was at EDF Energy Nuclear Operations Heysham 2 during Outage S13R7.
The following areas of plant were sampled due to their contribution to nuclear safety:
- Gas Circulators
- Circulator Auxiliary Cooling Systems (CACS)
- Main Boiler Isolation valves
- Reactor Gas Safety Relief Valves.
During the plant walkdown, I did not identify anything that gave me cause for concern that plant items important to safety were not being adequately maintained during this outage. A Level 4 Regulatory Issue was raised in relation to a minor shortfall in bolting arrangements associated with the CACS. I do not consider this to be a return to service issue, and will be resolved through routine regulatory engagements.
This report provides evidence to inform the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s decision regarding the issue of a Licence Instrument for consent to return to service for Heysham 2 Reactor 7. This is in accordance with Licence Condition 30.
Conclusion
Based on my sample of evidence I consider that EDF NGL has adequately demonstrated its Mechanical Engineering Examination, Maintenance, Inspection and Testing implementation and arrangements therefore, during the Heysham 2 Reactor 7 periodic shutdown, I consider the licensee has adequately demonstrated compliance with Licence Condition 28
From my sample of evidence and plant walkdown, I have not identified major safety significant any issues what would prevent Heysham 2 Reactor 7 from returning to service. I judge that a GREEN inspection rating is appropriate for this inspection.