The last nuclear fuel from the UK’s Hinkley Point B NPP in Somerset has been transported to Sellafield in Cumbria. Hinkley Point B was the UK’s first NPP to operate advanced gas cooled reactors (AGRs). The twin reactor plant (units 3&4), which began operation in 1976, was closed in August 2022. Over its lifespan, it produced approximately 311 TWh of electricity, enough to power every home in the UK for some three years.
Fuel removal began in September 2022. Defueling of reactor 4 started 2022 and took 24 months. Defueling of reactor 3 started in August 2024 and was completed in November 2025. The final batch of fuel left the site in November 2025 and on 13 January the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) granted the plant a Fuel Free Verification status.
The cost of defueling the power station was covered by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF) set up in 1996 to pay for decommissioning. The NLF is made up of operator contributions, money from the sale of British Energy to EDF, investment returns and money from the UK Government.
When de-fuelling started, Hinkley B had to remove 616 stringers of nuclear fuel from the site. The fuel was packaged into specially engineered, transportable fuel flasks which were then moved for safe storage by rail by Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) to Sellafield, in Cumbria. Both Sellafield and NTS are part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group, along with Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), which will be responsible for the full decommissioning of the site when it transfers to NDA later in 2026.
The total decommissioning process is expected to last approximately 95 years involving three phases. Phase 1 (to 2038) will include dismantling most buildings and plant materials, leaving only the Safestore structure. Phase 2 (2039–2109) is a 70-year period which will allow radioactive materials within the Safestore to decay naturally. Phase 3 (late 21st Century) will see the final dismantling of the reactor structures and total site restoration.
Commenting on the defueling, Station director Des Uminski said: “This is a huge moment for the Hinkley Point B team. “For our first 46 years we focussed on turning out the megawatts for the nation. In 2022, we shifted to turning out the fuel as we emptied our reactors. As of today, our focus is on the full, safe decommissioning of the site.”
He added: “I want to thank the teams here at Hinkley B who removed the fuel in just over three years. We knew this would be a challenge, but, as usual, our staff have risen to it and delivered brilliantly. We have had many years to prepare for this moment and the change that it means, but it is still a pivotal point in our site history and for our teams.”
NDA group CEO David Peattie said: “This has been a real team effort with strong collaboration displayed throughout between EDF and the NDA group. It is a tremendous achievement for everybody involved, in particular the dedicated team at Hinkley Point B, who we look forward to welcoming into our group this year. The successful defueling of the first two AGR stations demonstrates we have the right capability, affirming the Government’s confidence in us to expand our mission.”
The NDA is responsible for decommissioning the UK’s 17 earliest nuclear sites, removing the risks and hazards, so that eventually the sites can be released for other uses.
