The first of the UK’s seven advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) nuclear power stations has been emptied of fuel, marking a significant milestone in the country’s decommissioning process.
Station owner and operator EDF said on 24 April the defuelling of the Hunterston B nuclear power station on the west coast of Scotland had been completed on time and on budget.
Hunterston B has two AGR units, Hunterston B-1 and Hunterston B-2, that were permanently shut down in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Hunterston B-1 had a net capacity of 490 MW and Hunterston B-2 of 495 MW. They began commercial operation in 1976 and 1977.