NUCLEAR Electric, Britain’s new state-owned nuclear company, plans to
operate the country’s ageing fleet of Magnox stations for up to five years
longer than their present planned lifetime of 30 years.
John Collier, chairman of the body which has taken over the privatised
Central Electricity Generating Board’s nuclear capacity, announced the first
proposals to extend the running life of the country’s earliest reactors
last week. Detailed negotiations with Britain’s nuclear safety watchdog
are expected shortly, according to a spokesman for the Nuclear Installations
Inspectorate.
Only one Magnox station, Bradwell, has been allowed to carry on running
beyond 30 years – but only after safety modifications costing more than
Pounds sterling 10 million.
