Nuclear shutdown sparks energy fears

ONE of Scotland’s ageing nuclear reactors had to be shut down manually over the weekend, the latest in a catalogue of problems which prompted experts last night to warn of a possible looming gap in energy supplies.

British Energy said staff had to shut down a reactor at its troubled Hunterston B power plant in Ayrshire after problems with controls that keep the delicate process at exactly the right temperature.


The power station had been open for only a month after extensive repairs on cracked pipes.

Experts last night said the shutdown cast doubt on British Energy’s plans to extend the lives of Hunterston B and the company’s other nuclear station at Torness, in East Lothian.

The new SNP Executive has ruled out building new nuclear power stations to replace the plants, which together provide about 40 per cent of Scotland’s electricity needs.

Scotsman