More than 25,000 tonnes of material have been used to successfully backfill the basement structure of a demolished turbine hall by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) at Dungeness A site in Kent, paving the way for a major decommissioning project.
Originally constructed in 1965, the turbine hall stood 26 metres above ground level and housed four turbogenerators that converted nuclear heat into electricity for the National Grid. Following demolition of the turbine hall a decade ago, a large basement void remained, which has now been safely filled.
- The basement was filled to ground level using over 10,500 cubic metres of material, enough to fill four Olympic sized swimming pools
- More than 1,400 lorry deliveries were made over 3.5 months, with materials locally sourced from Lydd Quarry.
It represents the culmination of four years of preparatory work ahead of a project which will reduce the site’s building footprint by around a third and transform the visual landscape of the area. A planning application has been submitted to remove redundant boiler units and supporting infrastructure from the site’s reactor buildings. This newly infilled area, covering more than 5,000 square metres, is expected to be a laydown area for the boilers ahead of their removal from the site.
The application, which considers potential impacts on roads, ecology and the local community, will be available for public consultation via Folkestone and Hythe District Council.
Dungeness A site director, Ian Cuthbert, commented: “The site is well positioned for the next phase of decommissioning, which is the removal of eight large boiler units, each weighing around 800 tonnes. This work not only represents a significant engineering accomplishment but also demonstrates our continued commitment to safety, precision, and progress.”
The turbine hall infill was led by I.D. Corcoran Building Contractors Ltd and completed ahead of schedule, thanks to close engagement between NRS and the Environment Agency.
This latest progress marks a key step forward in the long-term decommissioning of the site, ensuring the site remains safe and prepared for future phases of work.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) is the new brand of Magnox Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). NRS is responsible for safely decommissioning ten first-generation nuclear sites at Berkeley, Bradwell, Chapelcross, Dungeness A, Hinkley Point A, Hunterston A, Oldbury, Sizewell A, Trawsfynydd and Wylfa, and two research sites at Harwell and Winfrith, while operating one hydro-electric power station at Maentwrog.
The Dounreay site in Scotland joined NRS last year, and, as a division of NRS, Dounreay is responsible for the clean-up and demolition of the former centre of fast reactor research and development.
Over the next decade, as they are defueled, advanced gas-cooled reactor sites at Hunterston B, Dungeness B, Hinkley Point B, Torness, Heysham 1 & 2, and Hartlepool will join NRS for decommissioning.
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Humphreys, External Communications Lead
Mobile : 07738 694660 Email : [email protected]
