Hartlepool power station safely completes maintenance work
Amid the coronavirus crisis, staff at Hartlepool power station are still playing their part in powering the UK and keeping the country’s vital services operating after reactor 2 returned to service following a short shutdown.
The restart follows planned maintenance work and refuelling, and it can now continue delivering safe and secure low-carbon electricity at a time when the country needs it most.
Hartlepool power station is now providing enough power for around two million homes.
The site’s station director, Craig Dohring, said: “I would like to thank all the staff, and contract partners, in returning the reactor to full power during these difficult and challenging times.
“A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring we can continue to provide low-carbon electricity to homes and industry.”
To manage the COVID-19 crisis, over the past few weeks the site has looked after its vulnerable staff, leaving the remainder to safely and professionally manage the operation of the station.
Craig said: “It is an unprecedented situation for all of us, but we are working through our well-rehearsed plan to ensure we look after our staff and contract partners, and then make sure we can continue to keep the site running and producing low-carbon electricity.”
EDF is working with National Grid to make sure the country has enough electricity, and with its key regulators the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Environment Agency, as the site adopts flexible working patterns to reduce the overall footfall.
The site has introduced thermographic temperature monitoring at the site entrance in addition to improved hand washing facilities.
Craig said: “We know that we also have a wider role to play as our staff’s support is crucial to local shops and businesses, one that is vital at this time. With a wage bill alone of £40m that is a huge part of the local economy.”
For more information
Martyn Butlin
External Communications Manager (North and Midlands)
(T) 01524 863 565
(M) 07768 577 822
martyn.butlin@edf-energy.com
About EDF
EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission, electric future and tackling climate change. It is the UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity(1) and supplies millions of customers with electricity and gas.
It generates low carbon electricity from five nuclear power stations and more than thirty onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms*.
EDF is leading the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C, and there are advanced plans for a replica at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes.
EDF is one of the UK’s largest investors in renewables, with more than 1GW of renewable generation in operation and over 4GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage. We are constructing our largest offshore wind farm in Britain – the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe project in Scotland.
EDF is helping its customers, both in business and at home, take their first steps to sustainably powering their lives. Whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing a heat pump. EDF is one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Imtech, is one of the largest technical service providers in the UK and Ireland.
EDF is part of EDF Group, the world’s biggest electricity generator. In the UK, the company employs around 11,000 people at locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
*EDF is continuing to operate its last coal power station until 31 March 2023 at the request of Government to support security of supply over winter.