Dungeness B Power Output Reduction to Resolve Valve Fault

A message this afternoon from Martin Pearson, Station Director at Dungeness B Nuclear Power Station:

"Unit 21 at Dungeness B has a fault with a conventional boiler steam safety relief valve which is creating a noise disturbance to local residents. The station has been working to resolve the fault, however, a short-term technical solution to fix the valve has not been found. Therefore, I have decided to take positive control to reduce the power output of the reactor in an attempt to reduce the noise to an acceptable level. This power reduction will commence at 16:00 hours today, and take approximately 24 hours to achieve in full. The results of this will then be assessed and further action taken if this does not resolved the issue.

"There are no nuclear, radiological or environmental safety concerns with the faulty valve.

"The station would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by this issue and assure the local residents that all practicable steps are being taken to improve the situation."