EDF shuts down second reactor at Heysham
POWER group EDF Energy has closed down a second reactor at its Heysham nuclear plant in Lancashire, after a shut down in June following an “unexpected result” during tests.
The company said Heysham 1 Reactor 2 had been shut down in a “conservative decision” along with two reactors at the group’s site in Hartlepool.
EDF said although other boiler spines have not previously indicated any similar defects, the three reactors which have been shut down are of a similar design and tests will take places over the next few days. As a result, there is expected to be a reduction in output from the plants for about eight weeks while investigations take place.
EDF said: “Until the results of the further inspections are known it is not possible to advise exact return to service dates for these four reactors, however, an initial estimate is that these investigations will take around eight weeks. EDF Energy’s other nuclear power stations are not affected by this issue as they are of a different design.
“Heysham 1 Reactor 1 is likely to continue to operate on reduced load when it returns to service until a suitable repair strategy can be implemented.”
Each reaction at Heysham 1 and Hartlepool has eight boiler units which each contain a boiler spine. EDF said its other stations are not affected as they have a different design.
Centrica, which has a 20% stake in EDF Energy’s nuclear operations, said the reduction in output from the affected nuclear power stations is estimated to reduce its earnings per share in 2014 by around 0.3p per share.
