Sizewell A nuclear power station safety review completed

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) has confirmed that it has completed its assessment of magnox Electric plc's periodic safety review (PSR) of the nuclear power station at Sizewell A in Suffolk. As a result, NII is satisfied that it is safe for the company to continue operation of Reactor 1 (R1) beyond the milestone of 30 years operation. Such continued operation will be subject to certain restrictions until the NII is satisfied with the outcome of further inspections in support of the hot gas release safety case. A return to operation of Reactor 2 (R2) has not yet been agreed by NII and will depend upon Magnox Electric plc satisfactorily addressing safety issues associated with significant defectiveness in welds in three of the R2 boilers identified during inspections in support of the PSR safety case. Inspection of the R1 boilers provides assurance that they are capable of safe operation beyond 30 years. (author)