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<p>Assessing the safety of nuclear stations is a matter for nuclear sites and the
independent nuclear regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).</p><p>Under
the terms of its licence, a licensee is required to produce a safety case to demonstrate
the continued safe operation of its reactors to the satisfaction of ONR. The licensee
at Hunterston B, EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd, notified ONR of the cracking of
two graphite bricks in the core of Hunterston B (Reactor 4) on 21 August 2014. The
type of cracking identified is termed ‘keyway root cracking’ and it has been considered
by the licensee in its safety case. ONR’s technical experts confirmed that the cracks
identified were well within the safe limits of operation set within the safety case
and that they do not pose an increased risk to the public. On this basis, ONR was
satisfied with the licensee’s justification for the return to service of Reactor 4
at Hunterston B and issued a Consent to restart Reactor 4 on the 29<sup>th </sup>September
2014.</p>
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