Consequences of a nuclear power plant assault
Radioactive contamination
Radioactive contamination, also called radiological contamination, is the uncontrolled
distribution of radioactive material in a given environment.
Surface contamination
Surface contamination is usually expressed in units of radioactivity per unit of area. For
SI, this is becquerels per square meter (or Bq/m*). Surface contamination may either be
fixed or removable. In the case of fixed contamination, the radioactive material cannot by
definition be spread, but it is still measurable.
In practice there is no such thing as zero radioactivity. Not only is the entire world
constantly bombarded by cosmic rays, but every living creature on earth contains
significant quantities of carbon-14 and most (including humans) contain significant
quantities of potassium-40. These tiny levels of radiation are not any more harmful than
sunlight, but just as excessive quantities of sunlight can be dangerous, so too can
excessive levels of radiation.
Low level contamination
The hazards to people and the environment from radioactive contamination depend on
the nature of the radioactive contaminant, the level of contamination, and the extent of
the spread of contamination. Low levels of radioactive contamination pose little risk, but
can still be detected by radiation instrumentation. In the case of low-level contamination
by isotopes with a short half-life, the best course of action may be to simply allow the
material to naturally decay. Longer-lived isotopes should be cleaned up and properly
disposed of, because even a very low level of radiation can be life-threatening when in
long exposure to it.
High level contamination
High levels of contamination may pose major risks to people and the environment.
People can be exposed to potentially lethal radiation levels, both externally and internally,
from the spread of contamination following an accident (or a deliberate initiation)
involving large quantities of radioactive material.
Radioactive iodine is a common fission product; it was a major component of the
radiation released from the Chernobyl disaster, leading to nine fatal cases of pediatric
thyroid cancer and hypothyroidism.
Ionizing radiation
The biological effects of radiation are thought of in terms of their effects on living cells.
For low levels of radiation, the biological effects are so small they may not be detected in
epidemiological studies. The body repairs many types of radiation and chemical damage.
Biological effects of radiation on living cells may result in a variety of outcomes,
including:
· Cells experience DNA damage and are able to detect and repair the damage.
· Cells experience DNA damage and are unable to repair the damage. These cells may go
through the process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, thus eliminating the potential
genetic damage from the larger tissue.
· Cells experience a nonlethal DNA mutation that is passed on to subsequent cell divisions.
This mutation may contribute to the formation of a cancer.
· Cells experience "Irreparable DNA Damage." Low level ionizing radiation may induce
"Irreparable DNA damage" (leading to replicational and transcriptional errors needed for
neoplasia or may trigger viral interactions) leading to pre-mature aging and cancer.
Understanding radiation
Radioactive decay/half life
It is estimated that 90% of the current exclusion zone can be utilized again within 200
years due to the constant radioactive decay. Radioactive decay is the process in which an
unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously loses energy by emitting ionizing particles and
radiation. This decay, or loss of energy, results in an atom of one type, called the parent
nuclide transforming to an atom of a different type, named the daughter nuclide. For
example: a carbon-14 atom (the "parent") emits radiation and transforms to a nitrogen-
14 atom (the "daughter"). This is a stochastic process on the atomic level, in that it is
impossible to predict when a given atom will decay, but given a large number of similar
atoms the decay rate, on average, is predictable.
A more commonly used parameter is the half-life. Given a sample of a particular
radionuclide, the half-life is the time taken for half the radionuclide's atoms to decay.
Means of contamination
Radioactive contamination can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, absorption,
or injection. For this reason, it is important to use personal protective equipment when
working with radioactive materials. Radioactive contamination may also be ingested as
the result of eating contaminated plants and animals or drinking contaminated water or
milk from exposed animals. Following a major contamination incident, all potential
pathways of internal exposure should be considered.
Long term effects - radiation levels
Ionizing radiation includes both particle radiation and high energy electromagnetic
radiation.
The associations between ionizing radiation exposure and the development of cancer are
mostly based on populations exposed to relatively high levels of ionizing radiation, such
as Japanese atomic bomb survivors, and recipients of selected diagnostic or therapeutic
medical procedures.
Cancers associated with high dose exposure include leukemia, thyroid, breast, bladder,
colon, liver, lung, esophagus, ovarian, multiple myeloma, and stomach cancers.
It is also suggested a possible association between ionizing radiation exposure and
prostate, nasal cavity/sinuses, pharyngeal and laryngeal, and pancreatic cancer.
The period of time between radiation exposure and the detection of cancer is known as
the latent period. Those cancers that may develop as a result of radiation exposure are
indistinguishable from those that occur naturally or as a result of exposure to other
chemical carcinogens.
Although radiation may cause cancer at high doses and high dose rates, public health
data regarding lower levels of exposure, below about 1,000 mrem (10 mSv), are harder
to interpret. To assess the health impacts of lower radiation doses, researchers rely on
models of the process by which radiation causes cancer; several models have emerged
which predict differing levels of risk.
Limiting exposure
There are four standard ways to limit exposure:
Time: For people who are exposed to radiation in addition to natural background
radiation, limiting or minimizing the exposure time will reduce the dose from the
radiation source.
Distance: Radiation intensity decreases sharply with distance, according to an inverse
square law. Air attenuates alpha and beta radiation.
Shielding: Barriers of lead, concrete, or water give effective protection from radiation
formed of energetic particles such as gamma rays and neutrons. Some radioactive
materials are stored or handled underwater or by remote control in rooms constructed of
thick concrete or lined with lead. There are special plastic shields which stop beta
particles and air will stop alpha particles. The effectiveness of a material in shielding
radiation is determined by its halve value thicknesses, the thickness of material that
reduces the radiation by half. This value is a function of the material itself and the energy
and type of ionizing radiation.
Containment: Radioactive materials are confined in the smallest possible space and kept
out of the environment. Radioactive isotopes for medical use, for example, are dispensed
in closed handling facilities, while nuclear reactors operate within closed systems with
multiple barriers which keep the radioactive materials contained. Rooms have a reduced
air pressure so that any leaks occur into the room and not out of it.
In a nuclear war, an effective fallout shelter reduces human exposure at least 1,000
times. Other civil defence measures can help reduce exposure of populations by reducing
ingestion of isotopes and occupational exposure during war time. One of these available
measures could be the use of potassium iodide (KI) tablets which effectively block the
uptake of radioactive iodine into the human thyroid gland.
The Chernobyl attack (accident)
Two widely studied instances of large-scale exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation
are: atomic bomb survivors in 1945; and emergency workers responding to the 1986
Chernobyl attack.
Longer term effects of the Chernobyl attack have also been studied. There is a clear link
(see the UNSCEAR 2000 Report, Volume 2: Effects) between the Chernobyl attack and
the unusually large number, approximately 1,800, of thyroid cancers reported in
contaminated areas, mostly in children. These were fatal in some cases. Other health
effects of the Chernobyl attack are subject to current debate.
The attack resulted in a severe release of radioactivity following a massive power
excursion that destroyed the reactor. Most fatalities from the attack were caused by
radiation poisoning.
Further explosions and the resulting fire sent a plume of highly radioactive fallout into the
atmosphere and over an extensive geographical area, including the nearby town of
Pripyat. Four hundred times more fallout was released than had been by the atomic
bombing of Hiroshima.
The plume drifted over large parts of the western Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Western
Europe, and Northern Europe. Rain contaminated with radioactive material fell as far
away as Ireland. Large areas in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia were badly contaminated,
resulting in the evacuation and resettlement of over 336,000 people. According to official
post-Soviet data, about 60% of the radioactive fallout landed in Belarus.
The countries of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus have been burdened with the continuing
and substantial decontamination and health care costs of the Chernobyl accident. It is
difficult to accurately quantify the number of deaths caused by the events at Chernobyl,
as over time it becomes harder to determine whether a death has been caused by
exposure to radiation.
The attack
On 26 April 1986 at 1:23 a.m., reactor 4 suffered a massive, catastrophic power
excursion due to “human error”. This caused a steam explosion, followed by a second
(chemical, not nuclear) explosion from the ignition of generated hydrogen mixed with air,
which tore the top from the reactor and its building and exposed the reactor core. This
dispersed large amounts of radioactive particulate and gaseous debris containing fission
products including cesium-137, strontium-90, and other highly radioactive reactor waste
products. The open core also allowed atmospheric oxygen to contact the super-hot core
containing 1,700 tonnes of combustible graphite moderator. The burning graphite
moderator increased the emission of radioactive particles, carried by the smoke. The
reactor was not contained by any kind of hard containment vessel (unlike all Western
plants, Soviet reactors often did not have them). Radioactive particles were carried by
wind across international borders.
Slow evacuation
The nearby city of Pripyat wasn’t fully evacuated until a week after the disaster.
Only after radiation levels set off alarms at the Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant in Sweden
did the Soviet Union admit that an attack had occurred, but authorities attempted to
conceal the scale of the disaster. To evacuate the city of Pripyat, the following warning
message was reported on local radio: "An accident has occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear
Power Plant. One of the atomic reactors has been damaged. Aid will be given to those
affected and a committee of government inquiry has been set up." This message gave
the false impression that any damage or radiation was localized.
Exclusion zone
There is a 30 km Exclusion Zone around Chernobyl where officially nobody is allowed to
live, but people do.
It is estimated that the land can be utilized for industrial purpose within 60 – 100 years
and it can eventually be utilized for farming or any other type of agricultural industry
within 200 years.
The Exclusion Zone is now so lush with wildlife and greenery that the Ukrainian
government designated it a wildlife sanctuary in 2007, and at 488.7 km2 it is one of the
largest wildlife sanctuaries in Europe.
According to a 2005 U.N. report, wildlife has returned despite radiation levels that are
presently 10 to 100 times higher than normal background radiation. Although they were
significantly higher soon after the attack, the levels have fallen because of radioactive
decay.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_accident
Target countries with operational reactors
Austria
Construction on the Zwentendorf Nuclear plant finished in 1978, however a referendum
was passed that did not allow startup. Nuclear power is illegal.
Belguim
Power station reactors
· Nuclear Plant Doel - 4x PWR reactors, total power of 2839 MWe
· Nuclear Plant Tihange - 3x PWR reactors, total power of 2985 MWe
The Doel Nuclear Power Station is one of the two nuclear power plants in Belgium. The
plant lies on the bank of the Scheldt, near the village of Doel in the Flemish province of
East Flanders. The Belgian energy corporation Electrabel is the plant's largest
stakeholder. The plant employs 800 workers and covers an area of 80 hectares.
The plant consists of four second-generation pressurised water reactors with a total
capacity of 2839 MWe, making it the second largest nuclear power plant in Belgium, after
Nuclear Plant Tihange. Its four units are rated as follows:
· Doel 1 : 392 MWe
· Doel 2 : 433 MWe
· Doel 3 : 1006 MWe
· Doel 4 : 1008 MWe
The Tihange Nuclear Power Station, along with Doel Nuclear Power Station, is one of the
two large-scale nuclear power plants in Belgium. It is located on the right bank of the
Meuse River in the Belgian deelgemeente of Tihange, part of Huy municipality in the
Walloonian province of Liège. The primary stakeholder in the plant is the Belgian energy
company Electrabel.
The plant has three pressurised water reactors, with a total capacity of 2985 MWe and
makes up 52% of the total Belgian nuclear generating capacity.[1] Its units are rated as
follows:
· Tihange 1: 962 MWe
· Tihange 2: 1008 MWe
· Tihange 3: 1015 MWe
Research Reactors
· Mol (BR-1) - Research reactor
· Mol (BR-2) - Research reactor
· Mol (BR-3) - PWR reactor (shut down)
Denmark
Research Reactors
· Risø - DR-3 DIDO class experimental reactor (shut down permanently in 2000)
· Risø - DR-2 experimental reactor (shut down in 1975)
· Risø - DR-1 experimental reactor (shut down permanently in 2001)
Finland
Power station reactors
· Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant – 2 × 488 MWe - VVER reactors
· Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant - 2 × 860 MWe - BWR reactors, under construction: 1 × 1650
MWe - EPR (expected in 2012)
Research reactor:
· Espoo - TRIGA Mark II, State Institute for Technical Research (installed 1962)
Total 4 currently operating commercial reactors, further one under construction: the first
European Pressurised Reactor facility at Olkiluoto,
France
Power station reactors
· Belleville Nuclear Power Plant - 2 1310 MWe PWR reactors
· Blayais Nuclear Power Plant - 4 910 MWe PWR reactors
· Bugey Nuclear Power Plant - 4 PWR reactors: 2 at 910 MWe, 2 at 880 MWe
· Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant - 4 1300 MWe PWR reactors
· Chinon Nuclear Power Plant - 4 905 MWe PWR reactors
· Chooz Nuclear Power Plant - 2 1500 MWe PWR reactors
· Civaux Nuclear Power Plant - 2 1495 MWe PWR reactors
· Cruas Nuclear Power Plant - 4 reactors: 2 at 880 MWe, 2 at 915 MWe
· Dampierre Nuclear Power Plant - 4 890 MWe PWR reactors
· Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant - 2 880 MWe PWR reactors - oldest operating commercial
PWR reactors in France
· Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant - 2 1330 MWe PWR reactors
· Golfech Nuclear Power Plant - 2 1310 MWe PWR reactors
· Gravelines Nuclear Power Plant - 6 910 MWe PWR reactors
· Nogent Nuclear Power Plant - 2 1310 MWe PWR reactors
· Paluel Nuclear Power Plant - 4 1330 MWe PWR reactors
· Penly Nuclear Power Plant - 2 1330 MWe PWR reactors
· Phénix Nuclear Power Plant - 1 233 MWe FBR reactor
· Saint-Alban Nuclear Power Plant - 2 1335 MWe PWR reactors
· Saint-Laurent Nuclear Power Plant - 2 PWR reactors: 1 at 880 MWe, 1 at 915 MWe
· Tricastin Nuclear Power Center - 4 915 MWe PWR reactors
Under construction - 1 total
· Flamanville - 1 1630 MWe PWR reactor - EDF is building the second EPR reactor there.
Under planning - 1 total
· Penly - 1 1630 MWe PWR reactor - EDF is planning a EPR reactor there.
Decommissioned Power Reactors - 12 total
· Bugey - 1 540 MWe GCR reactor
· Chinon - 3 GCR reactors
· Chooz-A - 1 310 MWe PWR reactor - reactor managed by SENA (Société d'énergie nucléaire
franco-belge des Ardennes).
· Marcoule - 3 38 MWe GCR reactors
· Brennilis - 1 70 MWe reactor - EL-49, heavy water reactor, only one of its kind in France, in
Brittany
· Saint Laurent des Eaux - 2 GCR reactors
· Superphénix, Creys-Malville - 1 1200 MWe FBR reactor
Cancelled
· Le Carnet
· Plogoff
· Thermos, a 50-100 MW reactor for the urban heating of Grenoble
Research reactors
· Institut Laue-Langevin, currently the world's most intense reactor source of neutrons for
science
· Rhapsodie
· Zoe, first French reactor (1948)
Germany
Power station reactors
· Biblis Nuclear Power Plant - Biblis-A and Biblis-B
· Brokdorf Nuclear Power Plant
· Brunsbüttel Nuclear Power Plant
· Emsland Nuclear Power Plant
· Grafenrheinfeld Nuclear Power Plant
· Grohnde Nuclear Power Plant
· Gundremmingen Nuclear Power Plant - Gundremmingen-B and Grundremmingen-C, A is
defunct
· Nuclear Power Plant Landshut Isar I + Isar II
· Krümmel Nuclear Power Plant
· Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Plant
· Philippsburg Nuclear Power Plant Block A and Block B
· Unterweser Nuclear Power Plant
Research Reactors
· BER II (Berliner-Experimentier-Reaktor II, Hahn-Meitner-Institut Berlin; rating: 10 MW,
commissioned 1990)
· FRG-1 (GKSS Research Center Geesthacht; rating: 5 MW, commissioned 1958)
· FRM II (Technische Universität München; Leistung: 20 MW, commissioned 2004)
· FRMZ (TRIGA of the University of Mainz, institute of nuclear chemistry; continuous rating:
0.10 MW, pulse rating for 30ms: 250 MW; commissioned 1965)
Shut Down
· Research nuclear plants in Jülich and Karlsruhe
· Greifswald Nuclear Power Plant located in the former GDR. Shut down in 1990 (Greifswald-
1 to Greifswald-4, and the unfinished Greifswald-5 reactor),Type: WWER-440
· Gundremmingen-A (shut down 1977)
· Hamm-Uentrop,THTR 300, shut down in 1988
· Lingen, shut down in 1977
· Mülheim-Kärlich Nuclear Power Plant, completed, operated briefly and then shut down in
1988 because of potential hazards
· Niederaichbach, shut down in 1974
· Obrigheim, shut down in May 2005
· Rheinsberg, shut down in 1990, Type: WWER-70
· Stade, shut down in 2003
· Würgassen, shut down in 1994
· Kalkar, never finished
· Wyhl, famous planned nuclear plant that was never built because of long-time resistance by
the local population and environmentalists.
· Kahl Nuclear Power Plant
Greece
GRR-1 - 5 MW research reactor at Demokritos National Centre for Scientific Research,
Athens. The reactor was upgraded a few years ago to 10 MW.
Italy
Phased out nuclear power after Chernobyl; no reactors operating right now, but
considering 10 new reactors
Power station reactors (phased out)
· Garigliano - BWR, 1 unit of 150 MWe, 1964-1982.
· Latina - Magnox, 1 unit of 160 MWe, 1963-1987.
· Caorso - BWR shut down following Italian referendum on nuclear power.
· Trino Vercellese - shut down following Italian referendum on nuclear power.
· Alto Lazio - 1964-1982.
Research reactors
· Pavia - TRIGA Mark II, University of Pavia Mark II (installed 1965)
· Rome - TRIGA Mark II, ENEA Casaccia Research Center (installed 1960)
Netherlands
Power station reactors
· Borssele nuclear power plant - 481 MWe PWR
· Dodewaard nuclear power plant - 58 MWe BWR (shut down 1997)
Research reactors
· Delft, Reactor Institute Delft, part of the Delft University of Technology
· Petten nuclear reactor in Petten
· Biologische Agrarische Reactor Nederland, part of the Wageningen University, shutdown in
1980
· Athena, at the Eindhoven University of Technology, shut down
· Kema Suspensie Test Reactor, test reactor at KEMA, Arnhem, disassembled
Norway
Research reactors
· Kjeller reactors
o NORA (activated 1961, shut down 1967)
o JEEP I (activated 1951, shut down 1967)
o JEEP II (activated 1966)
· Halden reactor
o HBWR - Halden boiling water reactor (activated 1959)
Portugal
· Portuguese Research Reactor - 1 MWt pool type, Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear
Spain
Power station reactors
· Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant
o Almaraz-1 - 1032 MWe
o Almaraz-2 - 1027 MWe
· Ascó Nuclear Power Plant
o Ascó-1 - 930 MWe
o Ascó-2 - 930 MWe
· Central nuclear José Cabrera (Zorita) (shut down 04-30-2006)
· Cofrentes Nuclear Power Plant - 994 MWe
· Santa María de Garoña Nuclear Power Plant - 460 MWe
· Trillo Nuclear Power Plant - 1.066 MWe
· Vandellòs Nuclear Power Plant Tarragona
o Vandellòs-1 UNGG (shut down after fire, 1989)
o Vandellòs-2 - 1080 MWe PWR
Research reactors
· Argos 10 kW Argonaut reactor - Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona (shut down
1992)
· CORAL-I reactor
Sweden
Power station reactors
· Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant (operational)
· Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant (operational)
· Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant (operational)
· Barsebäck Nuclear Power Plant (shut down)
Power station reactors
Power Station Type Net MWe Est closure
Barsebäck 1 BWR 630 Shut down
Barsebäck 2 BWR 630 Shut down
Forsmark 1 BWR 1018 Operational
Forsmark 2 BWR 960 Operational
Forsmark 3 BWR 1230 Operational
Oskarshamn 1 BWR 500 Operational
Oskarshamn 2 BWR 630 Operational
Oskarshamn 3 BWR 1200 Operational
Ringhals 1 BWR 860 Operational
Ringhals 2 BWR 870 Operational
Ringhals 3 BWR 920 Operational
Ringhals 4 BWR 910 Operational
Research reactors
R1, KTH, Stockholm – Research - 1 MW - 1954–1970 - dismantled
R2, Studsvik - Research - 50 MW - 1960–2005 - shut down
R2-0, Studsvik – Research - 1 MW - 1960–2005 - shut down
Ågestaverket (R3), Farsta, Sthl - Heating - 80 MW - 1963–1973 - shut down
Marviken (R4), Marviken, Norrköping Research, abandoned in 1970
FR-0, Studsvik, Research, zero-power fast reactor low - 1964–1971 - dismantled
Sweden has ten commercial reactors at three different locations (Forsmark, Ringhals and
Oskarshamn). There are no longer any plans to phase out nuclear power in Sweden. The
current centre-right government wants to make it possible to replace the current rectors
in the future. If the leftwing parties win the elections in September 2010, it will however
not accept new reactors replacing the current ones, but the reactors will not shut down
either.
The ten reactors produce about 45% of the country's electricity. The nation's largest
power station, Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant, has four reactors and generates about a
fifth of Sweden's annual electricity consumption.
Sweden used to have a nuclear phase-out policy, aiming to end nuclear power generation
in Sweden by 2010. On 5 February 2009, the Swedish Government announced an
agreement allowing for the replacement of existing reactors, effectively ending the
phase-out policy.
Switzerland
Power station reactors
· Beznau Nuclear Power Plant - 2 identical PWR power reactors. Commissioned in 1969 and
1970.
· Goesgen Nuclear Power Plant - PWR power reactor, commissioned 1979.
· Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant - BWR power reactor, commissioned 1984.
· Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant - BWR power reactor, commissioned 1970.
Research reactors
· SAPHIR - Pool reactor. First criticality: April 30, 1957. Shut down: End of 1993. Paul
Scherrer Institut
· DIORIT - HW cooled and moderatred. First criticality: April 15, 1960. Shut down: 1977.
Paul Scherrer Institut
· Proteus - Null-power reconfigurable reactor (graphite moderator/reflector). In operation.
Paul Scherrer Institut
· Lucens - Prototype power reactor (GCHWR) 30 MWth/6 MWe. Shut down in 1969 after
accident. Site decommissioned.
· CROCUS - Null-power light water reactor. In operation. École polytechnique fédérale de
Lausanne
United Kingdom
Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom generates a fifth of the country's electricity
(19.26% in 2004). The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate oversee all nuclear power
installations and, as of 2006, the United Kingdom operates 24 nuclear reactors. The
country also uses nuclear reprocessing plants, such as Sellafield.
A number of stations have been closed, and others are scheduled to follow. The two
remaining Magnox nuclear stations and four of the seven AGR nuclear stations are
currently planned to be closed by 2015. This is a cause behind the UK's forecast 'energy
gap', though secondary to the reduction in coal generating capacity. However the oldest
AGR nuclear power station was recently life-extended by ten years, and it is likely many
of the others can be life-extended, significantly reducing the energy gap.
All UK nuclear installations in the UK are overseen by the Nuclear Installations
Inspectorate.
Although the Government of the United Kingdom has recently given the go-ahead for a
new generation of nuclear power stations to be built, the Scottish Government, with the
backing of the Scottish Parliament, has made clear that Scotland will have no new
nuclear power stations and is aiming instead for a non-nuclear future. As of 2007, there
have been some significant developments towards nuclear fusion being implemented to
solve the predicted energy crisis, most significantly and recently the drawing-up of plans
to build one fusion power station, that will 'supply power to the National Grid within 20
years.' The JET facility at Culham, Oxfordshire indicates that Britain has both the industry
and workforce for nuclear fusion.
In January 2009, British Energy was bought for approximately £12 billion by EDF Energy
(a subsidiary of Electricite de France (EdF) SA)
Operating nuclear power stations
Power Station Type Net MWe Est closure
Oldbury Magnox 434 2010
Wylfa Magnox 980 2012
Dungeness B AGR 1110 2018
Hinkley Point B AGR 1220 2016
Hunterston B AGR 1190 2016
Hartlepool AGR 1210 2014
Heysham 1 AGR 1150 2014
Heysham 2 AGR 1250 2023
Torness AGR 1250 2023
Sizewell B PWR 1188 2035
Since 2006 Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B have been restricted to about 70% of
normal MWe output because of boiler-related problems requiring that they operate at
reduced boiler temperatures. This output restriction is likely to remain until closure.
Non-operating nuclear power stations
Power Station Type Net MWe Est closure
Oldbury Magnox 200 2003
Wylfa Magnox 240 2004
Dungeness B Magnox 300 1990
Hinkley Point B Magnox 276 1989
Hunterston B Magnox 246 2002
Hartlepool Magnox 470 2000
Heysham 1 Magnox 390 1991
Heysham 2 Magnox 450 2006
Torness Magnox 420 2006
A number of research and development reactors also produced some power for the grid,
including two Winfrith reactors, two Dounreay fast reactors, and the prototype Windscale
Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor.
Power station reactors
· Berkeley, Gloucestershire 2 x 276MW, de-commissioned
· Bradwell, Escoïtus (Generation ceased in 2002, defuelled by September 2005)
· Calder Hall, Sellafield, Cumbria - 4 x 50MWe (Generation started in 1956 and ceased in
2003)
· Chapelcross, Dumfries and Galloway - 4 x 180MW(th) (Generation ceased in June 2004)
· Dungeness A, Kent 2 x 223MW. BNG owned Magnox station (Entered decommissioning
January 2007)
· Dungeness B, Kent 2 x 550 MW(e). British Energy owned AGR
· Hartlepool, Hartlepool 2 x 600MW(e). British Energy owned AGR
· Heysham nuclear power stations, Lancashire - 4 x 600 MW(e)
· Hinkley Point A, Somerset (Ceased operations in 2000, defuelled by September 2005)
· Hinkley Point B, Somerset 2 x 570MW(e). British Energy owned AGR
· Hunterston A, North Ayrshire (Generation ceased 1990)
· Hunterston B, North Ayrshire 2 x 570 MW(e) British Energy owned AGR
· Oldbury, Gloucestershire - 2 x 435MW. (Generation due to cease July 2011 or when
Cumulative Mean Core Irradiaton reaches 31.5 MWd/te (R1) and 32.7 MWd/te (R2))
· Sizewell A, Suffolk BNFL owned Magnox station (Entered decommissioning January 2007)
· Sizewell B, Suffolk 1 x 1195MWe. British Energy PWR
· Torness, East Lothian 2 x 625 MW(e). British Energy owned AGR
· Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd BNG owned Magnox station (Generation ceased 1991)
· Winfrith, Dorchester, Dorset – SGHWR (ceased operation in 1990)
· Wylfa, Anglesey - 2 x 490MW magnox reactors. (Generation due to cease at end of 2010)
Research reactors
· Aldermaston - VIPER - Atomic Weapons Establishment
· Ascot - CONSORT reactor, Imperial College London, Silwood Park campus
· Billingham - TRIGA Mark I reactor, ICI refinery (installed 1971, shut down 1988)
· Culham - JET fusion reactor
· Derby - Neptune - Rolls-Royce Marine Power Operations Ltd, Raynesway
· Dounreay
o VULCAN (Rolls-Royce Naval Marine)
o PWR2 (Rolls-Royce Naval Marine)
o DMTR
o Dounreay Fast Reactor - Fast breeder reactor (shut down 1994)
o Prototype fast reactor
· East Kilbride - Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre (deactivated 1995, fully
dismantled 2003)
· Harwell AERE
o GLEEP (shut down 1990)
o BEPO (shut down 1968)
o LIDO (shut down 1974)
o DIDO (shut down 1990)
o PLUTO (shut down 1990)
· London
o Greenwich - JASON PWR reactor (dismantled 1999)
o Stratford Marsh - Queen Mary, University of London (fully dismantled)
· Risley - Universities Research Reactor (shut down 1991 decommissioned-land released
1996)
· Sellafield (named Windscale until 1971)
o PILE 1 (shut down 1957 after Windscale fire)
o PILE 2 (shut down 1957)
o WAGR (shut down 1982)
· Winfrith - Dorchester, Dorset, 9 reactors, shut down 1990, including
o Dragon reactor
10 new nuclear sites
In November 2009, the Government has identified ten nuclear sites which could
accommodate future reactors
· Bradwell in Escoïtus
· Braystones
· Kirksanton
· Sellafield in Cumbria
· Hartlepool
· Heysham in Lancashire
· Hinkley Point in Somerset
· Oldbury in Gloucestershire
· Sizewell in Suffolk
· Wylfa in North Wales. (However, the Welsh Assembly Government remains opposed to new
nuclear plants in Wales despite the approval of Wylfa as a potential site)
Most of these sites already have a station, the only new sites are Braystones and
Kirksanton.
