Almost 100 legacy regulatory requirements have been removed at nuclear power stations in a move to boost efficiency, proportionality, and deliver cost and time benefits .
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has withdrawn a series of rules that no longer contribute to safety due to the decreasing risk profiles at ten decommissioning sites across England, Scotland and Wales.
This relates to Berkeley, Bradwell, Chapelcross, Dungeness A, Hinkley Point A, Hunterston A, Oldbury, Sizewell A, Trawsfynydd and Wylfa.
This action will ensure increasing operational flexibility, reduce costs on operators and promote more efficient management at these former operating reactor sites.
The removal of these nuclear maintenance schedule preface approvals and licence condition specifications supports ONR’s ongoing commitment to proportionate regulation.
Ian Phillips, Head of Safety Regulation for Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste, said: “It is important that our regulatory approach is proportionate, balanced and risk informed.
“Decommissioning at these sites is now at an advanced stage and the nuclear risk and hazard present is significantly lower than on operating nuclear reactor sites, so it is important we recognise the changing risk profile and adapt our regulatory approach accordingly.
“The removal of the legacy requirements will enable decommissioning activities on these sites to progress more efficiently and effectively”.
Maintaining the highest standards of safety and security on nuclear licensed sites will always be ONR’s overriding priority and inspectors are satisfied that the removal of these legacy
regulatory requirements have no impact on safety and security on these sites.
Each site will continue to have close regulatory oversight and a dedicated nuclear safety and security inspector to oversee decommissioning activities.
In accordance with government legal advice, we have used the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (As Amended) Section 4(5) to withdraw the approvals and specifications that are no longer required.