Nuclear plant to pull plug from 2022

A nuclear power station that had been forced to reduce output in the past few years because of cracks in its core will begin the decommissioning process by 2022.

Hunterston B power station in North Ayrshire previously had an estimated decommissioning date of 2023, with “a plus/minus two years proviso”.

Yesterday operator ED F Energy announced the plant would move into the defuelling phase no later than 7 January 2022–subject to an inspection next spring and regulator y approval for the final six months.

Construction work star ted on the site in 1968 before it opened and began generating energy in 1976.

EDF managing director Matt Sykes said: “Hunterston B has quietly delivered a major contribution to the UK for more than 40 years.

“It has far exceeded its original remit and, over its lifetime, gone onto safely produce enough low carbon energy to power the whole of Scotland for eight years.”

A spokeswoman said the move would give staff clarity and added there would be no immediate job losses because of the phase to defuelling.