Historic day as Hunterston B powers down for good
The final reactor at the nuclear plant on the coast near West Kilbride will be switched off today.
Last updated 7th Jan 2022
One of Scotland's two nuclear powers stations is being turned off today as Hunterston B in Ayrshire powers down for good, almost 46 years after it started generating electricity.
The nuclear plant on the coast near West Kilbride has produced enough energy to meet a quarter of Scotland’s energy needs.
The final reactor will be switched off today, Friday 7th January, and the site will move into a defueling phase for the next few years before being decommissioned.
At a time when families are being warned of a 50 percent rise in our energy bills It will leave the UK more dependent on volatile gas prices and unpredictable wind power for our energy needs.
'An incredible achievement'
Station Director Paul Forrest said: “The contribution Hunterston B power station has made to this country cannot be underestimated.
"As well as providing stable, well paid employment for thousands of people in the North Ayrshire area, it has produced almost 300 TWh of zero-carbon electricity, enough to power every home in Scotland for 31 years.
"It was originally thought Hunterston B would run for 25 years but investment in the plant and the people who work here mean we've been able to safely extend that to 46 years.
"This is an incredible achievement and everyone here is proud of what the station has accomplished.
"We will pause to reflect the end of generation but we are looking forward to the future. We don't just switch off the power station, close the gates and walk away. It will take time to defuel and decommission the site and we will continue to need skilled people to do this."
'Shouldn't be the end of nuclear'
EDF Energy, which runs the site, said every member of staff who had said they wanted to continue working at Hunterston B had secured a role to help with the defueling - with some staff opting to move to other EDF sites and others deciding to retire.
Hunterston B cost £143 million to build, with work on the plant starting 55 years ago in 1967.
GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour said: "Hunterston B has been a work-horse for Scotland's energy mix, it's helped keep the lights on and delivered opportunity and prosperity on the west coast for nearly fifty years.
"The story of the station and its workforce should be celebrated, but Hunterston's decommission is also a lament over the Scottish Government's attitude towards nuclear.
"This is a viable low-carbon industry that can help create and sustain the domestic energy production and employment opportunities we need to play our part in confronting the climate crisis.
"This shouldn't be the beginning of the end for Scotland's nuclear story - we are still going to need secure electricity supply on the days when the wind doesn't blow."