HC Deb 27 April 1977 vol 930 cc326-7W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the sites of Magnox nuclear power stations showing the date of commission, the current generating life-expectancy of each station and the work force at each station.

Mr. Eadie

The commissioning dates of the CEGB's eight stations, the SSEB's one station, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, and the UKAEA's two Magnox stations, now transferred to BNFL, are listed below:

Berkeley 1962
Bradwell 1962
Calder Hall 1956
Chapelcross 1958
Dungeness A 1965
Hinkley Point A 1965
Hunterston A 1964
Oldbury-in-Severn 1967
Sizewell A 1966
Trawsfynydd 1965
Wylfa 1971
When the Magnox stations were planned the boards cautiously assumed that they would have an operating life of 20 years. However, continuing studies are being made by the generating boards, in conjunction with the UKAEA, in the light of developing operating experience. Currently there are good reasons to hope that the stations' operating lives will exceed 20 years and there are no plans for their early retirement.

The work force depends upon the particular operational circumstances at each station. I am, therefore, asking the Chairmen of the CEGB and BNFL to write to my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will make arrangements for the Chairman of the SSEB to write to my hon. Friend.