Environmentalists say nuclear power is proving to be unsafe
Cracks in Hunterston Power Station’s reactors prove the case for safer forms of energy, leading environmentalists have warned.
Bricks used to assemble the core of two nuclear reactors at the Hunterston B power station in Ayrshire were found to contain cracks.
Operator EDF Energy said there were no safety implications and the finding had no impact on the operation of the reactor.
Cracks were identified in Hunterston's other reactor last year.
EDF Energy said it was publicising the fact as part of its commitment to openness and transparency.
But WWF Scotland director Lang Banks highlighted the need for the country to move on to safer forms of energy.
He said that despite assurances given by the nuclear industry, the latest incident made clear the problem is spreading and that we can expect the facility to become more unreliable in the future.
Scotland can capture all of the benefits of being the EU’s first 100% renewables nation
“News of more cracks in the country's ageing fleet of nuclear power stations underscores why we're right to be taking steps to harness cleaner, safer forms of energy,” Banks said.
“It also highlights the need for us to be shifting our focus from relying on large energy generation like coal and nuclear power to capturing the hidden value of managing our demand better – this is an essential tool that we must use if we are to cut bills and realise our full renewable potential.
He added: “As we approach next year's elections, we look to all political parties to embrace the clean energy transition, so that Scotland can capture all of the benefits of being the EU’s first 100% renewables nation.”
The core of the reactors is made up of thousands of graphite bricks.
The station began operating in 1976 and its working life has already been extended to 2023 - well beyond its planned closure date.
Station director Colin Weir said: “Nuclear safety drives everything we do. This means we work within very large safety margins. This applies to graphite bricks too.
“The level of cracking which is considered reasonable is far below anything which would affect the reactor's safe operation.
“It is accepted by our regulators and materials experts that cracks will occur in some of the bricks and that the core will lose some of its mass as part of the normal ageing process.”
Weir added: "The observations were anticipated and are in line with our understanding, so our view of the best estimate lifetime planning date of 2023 has not changed.”
