Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: May 2024
Aim of inspection
This was an inspection of decommissioning carried out jointly between ONR and SEPA. The aim of this inspection was to cover Licence Condition 35 Decommissioning and standard conditions in the environmental permit EAS/P/1173596. This inspection will examine the adequacy of Hunterston B’s planning for decommissioning and will focus on the site-specific decommissioning plan (SSDP).
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC35 - Decommissioning - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The decommissioning strategy is based on deplanting activities, entry to Care and Maintenance (C&M) to take advantage of radioactive decay in the reactor building, and then final site clearance. Deplanting activities are controlled in non-active areas by a managed retreat to demolition before C&M, and risk based deplanting to justify what plant will be removed before C&M. The interim state will be for the reactor building to go into Safestore, defined by the deplanting activities. The final end state is a brownfield site for potential reuse.
There is a detailed programme of activities in place to realise the end states. The work breakdown structure takes advantage of learning from Nuclear Restoration Services stations, includes characterisation to underpin waste assumptions and allows for permissioning hold points. The programme is resourced and has been used to inform the Deconstruction organisation. Records will be managed in line with current arrangements (before transition and transfer), and Highly Active Waste records will be managed by the new waste group after fuel free verification.
Conclusion
Hunterston B have adequately addressed the requirements under LC35 to have suitable arrangements (a strategy and plan) and a programme for decommissioning activities. Therefore, I have rated this inspection GREEN, no formal action, against LC35 (Decommissioning).