HSE Extends Wylfa Generation Life

by R Williams
(North Wales)

Wylfa Power Station on Anglesey receives a huge boost as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) agrees a two year extension of electricity generation at the nuclear plant.

The Magnox North operated nuclear generator on the North West Wales island had made an application to extend the plant's life beyond the original 2010 closure date.

Staff at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) owned site had spent the past year or so preparing a robust economic and safety argument for extending electricity generation at Wylfa.

A rigorous safety assessment process was carried out by the HSE during this preparatory period. As the regulator, the HSE will continue to monitor the site as part of the Periodic Safety Review.

From the decommissioning persepctive this a welcome development as the NDA will continue to receive revenue for the duration of the extension period, which will go towards funding eventual site remediation.

The news has been greeted by staff at Wylfa as well as by the local community as it will help the local economy in what are still very challenging economic times.

Opposition to this extension of electricity generation comes from PAWB (People Against Wylfa B) who believe the power station is past its design life, and may pose an increased risk as well as producing further waste.

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