Hunterston B Nuclear Plant Transfers to UK Government Ownership as First AGR Enters Decommissioning
The Hunterston B nuclear power station in North Ayrshire, Scotland, has officially transferred from EDF Energy to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), becoming the first Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) plant to enter UK government ownership.
Key Facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | North Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Reactor type | 2× AGR (490 MWe each) |
| Reactor 3 | Online Feb 1976, offline Nov 2021 (45+ years) |
| Reactor 4 | Online Mar 1977, offline Jan 2022 |
| Original design life | 25 years |
| Actual operation | 45+ years |
| New operator | Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) |
Decommissioning Timeline
- April 2025: First UK AGR declared free of all used nuclear fuel
- March 2026: UK Office for Nuclear Regulation approved relicensing
- April 2026: Transfer to NDA/NRS completed
What Happens Next
The NDA's subsidiary Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) will manage the decommissioning, which also oversees the neighboring Hunterston A site. Most staff are continuing at the site or staying with EDF.
Broader Context
Hunterston B is one of the UK's seven AGR power plants. As AGR plants reach end of life:
- All will follow similar transfer-to-government processes
- Decommissioning expertise is being built at NRS
- The UK is simultaneously planning new nuclear build (Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C)
Significance
This transfer marks a significant milestone in the UK's nuclear lifecycle management — closing the chapter on first-generation AGR technology while the country invests in next-generation nuclear for its net-zero future.