16 Feb (NucNet): EDF Energy’s existing fleet of nuclear power plants in the UK achieved “excellent operational performance” in 2009, reflecting the successful return to service of four units following extensive outages.
EDF, which paid 12.5 billion pounds (19.5 billion US dollars, 14.3 billion euro) to buy British Energy, the UK’s nuclear generator, more than a year ago, said that earnings from BE had risen by 96 percent in 2009 to EUR 1.7 billion, compared with EUR 865 million the previous year.
Total nuclear output from 6 January 2009 to 31 December 2009 increased by 36 percent to 54.5 terrawatt hours (TWh), compared with 40 TWh in 2008. Total nuclear output from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009, was 55.1 TWh.
EDF said the performance reflected the return to service of four gas-cooled reactor units at the Hartlepool and Heysham plants in January, February and March 2009 following their extensive boiler closure unit outages.
The four units, which provide around 2,350 megawatts of electricity generation in the UK, were taken out of service in October 2007 after a planned inspection revealed some corrosion on wires which are part of the boiler closure units.
EDF energy UK also published an update on other recent plant issues.
Dungeness B1: During the 2009 statutory outage of Dungeness B1 a pressure vessel cooling water leak was identified on a pipe next to a boiler reheater outlet penetration. The leak has been repaired. The unit is scheduled to return to service during the second quarter of 2010.
Dungeness B2: Following a fire involving a small amount of oil in the Dungeness B2 boiler annexe, the unit was manually shutdown on 24 November 2009. Before returning the unit to service, replacement of cables and replacement or overhaul of mechanical equipment which was damaged was required. This replacement work has been completed. The unit should return to service “in the near future”.
Torness-1: Torness-1 tripped on 1 February 2010 following the failure of a generator transformer. Work has begun to replace the transformer and the unit will be returned to service early in the second quarter of 2010.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
EDF Completes Purchase Of British Energy (News No. 2, 5 January 2009)
UK Names 10 Sites As ‘Potentially Suitable’ For New Nuclear By 2025 (News No. 83, 9 November 2009)
All Four BE Gas-Cooled Units Back In Service (News in Brief No. 31, 18 March 2009)
