A DECOMISSIONED power plant which once provided a million homes with electricity is set to be restarted under new plans.
The government has suggested that a previously disused power station could start supplying energy to the public again.
Located in Dungeness, Kent, the power plant in Romney Marsh started to ease up operations in 2021 before being totally decommissioned with the site sitting idle.
The EDF power station is made up of two power plants, Dungeness A and B, which produced energy from 1965 and 1983 respectively.
In 2006, Dungeness A ceased power production and was defueled six years later – then in 2015 parts of the building were demolished.
Dungeness B was due to be shut down in 2008 but technical difficulties meant this pushed back to 2028.
Following further technical problems brought to attention by the Office of Nuclear Regulation, EDF quickly started defueling the station.
But now, some developers have expressed their interest in the site, hoping to establish new small modular reactors (SMRs) which ministers have become “aware” of.
SMRs are a new, cheaper form of technology being developed by Rolls-Royce that can be fitted faster than traditional alternatives.
It’s hoped that SMRs will play a key part in delivering low-carbon electricity as the UK aims to reach net zero by 2050.
In November the government published its Nuclear Energy Generation policy which while it didn’t name specific locations, did state that nuclear reactors could be built across the country.
And prior to this in September, the minister of state at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Lord Patrick Vallance earmarked Dungeness as a site for a potential new power plant.
He said: “The government is aware of developer or community interest in nuclear projects at several sites, including those being decommissioned,” he said in a written response to a parliamentary question.
“These include Pioneer Park (Cumbria), Trawsfynydd (North Wales), Hartlepool (County Durham) and Dungeness.”
An EDF spokesperson said: “EDF is managing the defueling of Dungeness B power station and, once this is completed, will transfer the station to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) for long term decommissioning.
“EDF owns land around the existing power station and welcomes discussions around potential future development opportunities that support the Government’s energy policy and would bring jobs to the area.
“EDF’s primary focus in the UK nuclear sector is to maximise output from the existing fleet, deliver the Hinkley Point C project in Somerset and support Sizewell C in Suffolk.”
A similar rhetoric was expressed by Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan who believes restarting the Dungeness’ power plant would have a positive impact on the area.
He told Kent Online: “This Labour government has long accepted the potential for new nuclear power at Dungeness.
“The location, skilled local workforce and existing grid infrastructure make Dungeness a highly attractive proposition for new nuclear.”
SMRs are made in a factory in modules before being assembled on-site and typically start off with three reactors and can be expanded to include eight.
A spokesperson for DESNZ said: “Our reforms to shake up nuclear planning rules have now come into force as part of our golden age of nuclear, empowering developers to identify suitable sites – helping to create jobs and protect billpayers.”
