Power company EDF Energy has shut down four of its nuclear reactors due to a “defect” found in one of the boiler units.
A recent inspection of power plants in Heysham, Lancashire, and Hartlepool, Durham confirmed an issue first noted in 2013.
During a routine maintenance shutdown in 2013 the company recorded an irregularity in Reactor 1’s boiler spine.
No similar results were found on the other seven boiler spines on the reactor or during similar inspections of the boiler spines on Heysham 1 Reactor 2 and at Hartlepool.
Heysham 1 Reactor 1 was returned to service in early 2014 on reduced load but was shut down again on June 11 for refuelling and to allow a new inspection of the eight boiler units.
Following the investigation the company confirmed a “defect” in the originally affected boiler and decided to shut down Heysham 1 Reactor 2 and Hartlepool Reactors 1 and 2 as a precautionary measure.
“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 said in a statement.
“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.”
Other EDF nuclear power stations were not affected by the issue, the company added.
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