British Energy to take nuclear stations off-line

British Energy has announced it will have to take 25% of the UK's nuclear capacity off-line due to cracks and leaks found in cooling systems.

Hunterston B in Scotland, where libcom.org has been covering a strike by electricians, and Hinkley B in Somerset, are both being prepared for complete shutdown so they can be inspected. This may force British Energy to buy electricity on the open market in order to meet its supply commitments.

The UK government was planning to sell a third of its 65% stake in the company this autumn, but may have to delay as £750 million was wiped off the share price as this news was announced.

Comments

Related content

Hunterston power station

Hunterston power station strike picket reports

Striking workers' reports from the picket line of the second day of the second week of industrial action at the Hunterston nuclear power plant.

Hunterston nuclear power station

Hunterston nuclear power station: strike update

An update from the picket on our second day of our fifth week in our dispute with Balfour Kilpatrick.

Anti-nuclear activists blockade Hinkley Point power station

Over 1,000 protestors blockade the entrance to Hinkley Point power station in response to a proposed…

Hunterston nuclear power station strike - sixth week update

Picket line report from the sixth week of the electricians' dispute at Hunterston.

Hunterston nuclear power station workers on strike

Workers employed by Balfour Kilpatrick at Hunterston nuclear power station began a series of weekly strikes today.

Sixth week, second day update from Hunterston electricians strike

Second day of our sixth week in our dispute with BK.