Publication date: January 2001

Summary
Wylfa is an old power station, already operating well past its sell-by date. It is currently closed following the discovery of unexpected safety-related problems in April 2000. Despite a history of safety problems, its owners, BNFL Magnox, not only want to continue operating it, but also to extend its life to 50 years.

BNFL Magnox is proposing to manage the current safety problems, rather than repair them. Their strategy is aimed at restarting the reactors as soon as possible, and it inevitably carries with it safety implications.

The reactors were closed in April 2000 following the discovery of defects in welds in the reactor pressure vessels. The NII was concerned that the welds could break open, releasing radioactive contents from the reactor. They asked BNFL to fit 'restraints' to the outside of the pressure vessel to limit radioactive releases if the welds did break open. The welds themselves have not been repaired.

Neither BNFL nor the NII have published information on the extent of the weld problem, or on the consequences to human health and the environment if the welds broke. In March, Greenpeace published a report at the National Assembly for Wales which concluded that a failure of the defective welds, coupled with other safety problems at the station, could result in uncontrolled, large scale releases of radioactivity [2].

"Once again, the NII and BNFL have negotiated in secret about nuclear safety issues. The only information in the public domain about the extent of the problems at Wylfa concluded that there could be catastrophic consequences if the welds broke. People in Wales have the right to be told about the risks that BNFL and the NII are forcing them to face - this right has consistently been denied", said Bridget Woodman from Greenpeace.

Despite a high degree of public concern, the National Assembly for Wales have refused to question the NII's handling of Wylfa's safety problems [3].

Neither BNFL nor the NII have published a case for reopening Wylfa, and no public consultation regarding the station's safety problems has been carried out among the general public of North West Wales, or with local authorities in Wales. This effectively means that there is no democratic accountability for either the nuclear industry or its regulators.

In addition, neither the First Minister, nor the Minister for the Environment attended a meeting with the NII, about safety at the station, at the end of last year. This is despite the National Assembly's right to be involved in issues of nuclear safety in Wales because of the widespread environmental consequences which could stem from a nuclear accident. PAWB has asked for the publication of this meeting's minutes, but the First Minister has refused on the grounds that they may be 'commercially sensitive' [4].

"Assembly ministers are clearly failing the people of Wales by censoring public debate on the problems which have crippled Wylfa over the last 15 months. While we've come to expect the NII to behave like the nuclear industry's lap dogs, we are appalled that the National Assembly is behaving like BNFL's poodle too," said Dylan Morgan from PAWB.

The weld defects are just the latest in a long series of problems at the station. Of particular concern is the irreparable and ongoing deterioration of the reactors' graphite core [5].

Notes for editors:
[1] The NII approved BNFL's safety case for restarting the reactor without repairing the defective welds on Friday 27 July.
[2] Large and Associates, Review of Ageing Processes and their Influence on Safety and Performance at Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, 14 March 2001.
[3] The Minister for the Environment, Sue Essex, has received 2,800 postcards and over 200 letters expressing concerns about safety at Wylfa and asking the National Assembly to act.
[4] Letter from Rhodri Morgan to Dylan Morgan, July 2001.
[5] Documents prepared in the early 1990s by Wylfa's then-owner, Nuclear Electric, predicted that graphite keyways which are vital to the structure stability of the reactor core could fail between 30 and 35 years into Wylfa's operation life. Wylfa is already 30 years old.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255

Wylfa power station

British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) has refused to allow Greenpeace to attend this week's Wylfa Local Community Liaison Council to ask questions about the safety of the controversial nuclear plant on Anglesey (1).

"BNFL is putting secrecy ahead of safety," said Greenpeace campaigner Bridget Woodman, "A nuclear accident could affect us all."

In March, Welsh Assembly members heard the results of a Greenpeace commissioned report into the dangers of allowing the ageing Wylfa nuclear power station to reopen (2). Independent nuclear engineer John Large highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences of defective welds inside the nuclear plant and the ageing and deterioration of other vital reactor components.

He concluded that if Wylfa is allowed to re-open, a failure of the welds and the weakened reactor components could combine to result in uncontrolled, large-scale releases of radioactivity.

Despite the criticisms, BNFL is pressing ahead with plans to re-open Wylfa without repairing the welds.

"BNFL's complacency is frightening", said Woodman, "Its constant refusal to engage in any debate about safety at Wylfa show a complete disdain for public concerns about safety at the station."

In its letter to Greenpeace, BNFL argues that the local liaison meeting is for members of the local community only. Greenpeace has nearly 200 supporters in Anglesey.

Even BNFL's most notorious site - Sellafield in Cumbria - allows widespread, informal public attendance and questioning at its Local Community Liaison Committee meetings (3).

The campaign to stop Wylfa re-opening is also supported by PAWB (People Against Wylfa B/Pobol Atal Wylfa B), a group based on Anglesey, WANA (Welsh Anti-Nuclear Alliance), CND Cymru and Friends of the Earth Cymru.

Notes for editor's:

1. The letter from BNFL to Greenpeace (dated 10 May 2001), and Greenpeace's response, is available on request. The Wylfa Local Liaison Committee (LCLC) meets this Wednesday (16 May) at 10.30am at Wylfa.
2. Review of Ageing Processes and their Influence on the Safety and Performance of Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, John Large, Large and Associates. The report is available to download here (file prepared as a PDF).
3. The Sellafield LCLC represents 'anyone and everyone' according to its publicity material.

Nuclear fallout from the Chernobyl accident on April 26 1986 spread radioactive contamination over Europe, with Wales being particularly badly affected. The levels of contamination led to Government restrictions being imposed on sheep holdings in North Wales. Hundreds of square kilometres of land in Wales are still operating under these restrictions because of the continuing high levels of contamination in sheep [1].

Environmental organisations are warning that safety problems at the Wylfa nuclear power station on Ynys M'n mean that the area would live under the threat of another nuclear accident if the station is ever allowed to restart. They are calling for its permanent closure [2].

The station was shut in April 2000 following the discovery of defects in welds on pipes inside the reactor pressure vessel. BNFL plans to get permission to restart the reactors by fitting 'restraints' to the outside of the pressure vessel. However, the nuclear industry's safety regulator admits that this measure would not stop the defective welds from breaking open, it would merely limit the extent of a radioactive release if they did break. [3]

A report commissioned by Greenpeace from independent consultant engineers Large & Associates concluded that a failure of the welds could ultimately lead to a severe accident and significant releases of radioactivity [4].

"The last thing that Wales needs is the threat of another nuclear accident spreading deadly radioactive contamination over the country. The only sane thing for BNFL can do is shut the station down for good, and allow the country to move towards a safe and environmentally sustainable energy future" said Bridget Woodman from Greenpeace.

Dylan Morgan from PAWB said "radioactive releases don't respect geographical boundaries. Experimenting with reopening Wylfa's reactors is a totally unacceptable risk for BNFL to take with the health and safety of the population of Wales."

A WANA spokesman warned "The British 'muddling through' approach to our older clapped out reactors threatens a catastrophe. We are sleepwalking towards the edge of a cliff."

Jill Stallard from CND Cymru stated: "The Chernobyl disaster has left one in three children in Belarus sick, and made an area the size of Britain permanently contaminated and uninhabitable . Restarting Wylfa is a risk too great to take. Nuclear power is past its sell by date, unsustainable and not the way forward for a nuclear free Wales for the future of our children and our children's children."

Neil Crumpton, energy spokesperson for FOE Cymru said, "As the tragic human and economic consequences of the Chernobyl disaster continue to unfold across the Ukraine and beyond, the least we should do is ensure any similar nuclear disaster does not happen in the UK."

Notes for Editors:
[1] The most recently published figures for Wales show approximately 530 square kilometres of land under Government restrictions, covering about 359 whole and partial holdings (More areas freed from Chernobyl Sheep restrictions, National Assembly for Wales press release, 21 January 1998). See map for details of affected areas.

[2] Groups calling for Wylfa's closure: PAWB (People Against Wylfa B/Pobol Atal Wylfa B), WANA (Welsh Anti-Nuclear Alliance), CND Cymru, FOE Cymru, Greenpeace

[3] Nuclear Safety Newsletter, Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, October 2000

[4] Review of Ageing Processes and Their Influence on Safety and Performance at Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, Large & Associates, March 2001.

Wylfa power station

In response to a letter from BNFL accusing them of inaccuracies in a report on safety problems at Wylfa nuclear power station, Greenpeace today challenged BNFL to a full public debate.

The report on Wylfa was launched at the National Assembly for Wales on the 14th March at a meeting attended by Assembly Members and Minister for the Environment Sue Essex. It outlines the safety problems which led to Wylfa's closure in April 2000 and irreparable age related problems in the nuclear reactors. It concluded that there would be the potential for a catastrophic nuclear accident if the station were allowed to reopen.

In advance of the meeting BNFL sent an email to all Assembly Members attacking report author John Large and an earlier Greenpeace briefing on problems at Wylfa. Greenpeace responded to these criticisms stating that they had no foundation.

On the 22nd March BNFL issued a press release to Assembly Members calling for Greenpeace to withdraw John Large's report. It again accused Greenpeace of inaccuracies.

Bridget Woodman, Greenpeace Nuclear Campaigner said,
"BNFL have come up with no substantive challenge to the report by nuclear expert John Large. We need an open and serious public debate about nuclear safety in Wales. Issuing irrational attacks is not taking the debate any further. Greenpeace would love to have an open public debate with both BNFL and report author John Large present".

She continued,
"Now it's up to them to show how open - or how secretive - they want to be about safety at Wylfa and the possible consequences of reopening the station."

Further information:
Contact:
Bridget Woodman on 020 7865 8248
or the Greenpeace Press Office on 020 7865 8255

For details of BNFL's letter to Assembly Members and press release attacking Greenpeace contact David Cartwright in the BNFL press office on 07747 007805.

Speakers at the launch, held at the National Assembly, included report author, independent nuclear engineer John Large, Assembly Members Mick Bates (Liberal Democrats) and John Griffiths (Labour) and Dylan Morgan from PAWB (People Against Wylfa B/Pobol Atal Wylfa B).

Wylfa nuclear power station is currently closed following the discovery of defects in welds in the pressure vessel containing the nuclear reactor. Plant operators British Nuclear Fuels Ltd [2], are planning to reopen the reactors without repairing the welds. Instead, they want to fit 'restraints' which would limit rather than prevent radioactive discharges in the event of an accident.

In his presentation Mr Large highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences of defective welds inside the nuclear plant and the ageing and deterioration of other vital reactor components.

He also highlighted ongoing deterioration of the reactor system as the inevitable result of ageing, including:

• The cracking of plates around pipework from the reactor boilers;
• The corrosion of steel components inside the reactor, in particular the "core restraint garter" which surrounds the core of the nuclear reactor;
• Corrosion or loss of volume in the graphite core of the reactor.

At the launch Mr Large argued that the inevitable deterioration of these components mean it is increasingly difficult to predict what might happen in an accident. He stated that the 'worst case scenario' accident for Wylfa is in fact far more serious than has previously been admitted by the NII.

He concluded that if Wylfa is allowed to re-open, a failure of the welds and the weakened reactor components could combine to result in uncontrolled, large-scale releases of radioactivity.

Mr Large also criticised regulation of nuclear safety regime by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) as secretive and lacking in rigour.

Greenpeace is launching the report at the National Assembly because of the interest that the Assembly has in issues of nuclear safety. A nuclear accident could have a serious impact on the environment, economy and the health of people in Wales. Officials for the Minister for the Environment have regular, formal meetings with the NII, but information on the discussions is not publicly available [3].

The report launch is part of a campaign to keep the reactors closed which is supported by other Campaign Organisations in Wales [4]. The campaign is demanding that the National Assembly ensures that all information on nuclear safety is made public, and that the Minister for the Environment should ask the NII to keep the reactors closed.

Report author John Large said,
"I am very surprised to learn that the NII are allowing BNFL to proceed with what I can only describe as an expedient bodge job. The NII are allowing BNFL to fit an external restraint system which does not address the fundamental problem of cracks in welds of a safety critical component of the reactor system. If any one of these safety systems should fail, the resulting intrusion of tonnes of superheated steam into the reactor will considerably test the core restraint system. It has been known that these systems are subject to ageing and strength degradation since the reactors were commissioned in 1971".

He continued, "Like the NII, I consider there to be a great deal of uncertainty about the state of the reactors, but unlike them, I would not consider allowing it to restart".

Assembly Member Mick Bates said,
"The Assembly must play a greater role in nuclear safety especially in view of our commitments to sustainable development, which means an increasing focus on renewable energy."

Dylan Morgan of PAWB (People Opposed to Wylfa B) said,
"There is deep distrust in Wales of nuclear safety at Wylfa. Our recent campaigning has shown widespread public support for an end to this nuclear threat. Wylfa should be shut for good".

Greenpeace Campaigner Bridget Woodman said,
"BNFL wants to play Russian Roulette with human health and the environment. Wylfa's ageing reactors should be shut down now, not patched up and run until a major nuclear accident occurs. The National Assembly - and the Minister for Environment in particular - should demand to know why the NII is letting BNFL proceed with its dangerous re-start plan".

Editor's notes:
[1] Review of Ageing Processes and their Influence on the Safety and Performance of Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, John Large, Large and Associates.

[2] Who own and operate the station through their Magnox Electric subsidiary

[3] On 8 march 2001, Sue Essex, Minister for Environment, stated that "My officials have regular and frequent contact with both [the NII and the HSE]. The most recent formal meeting was held at the National Assembly on 21st November 2000 and covered briefing on the current situation at Wylfa".

[4] The campaign is supported by PAWB (People Against Wylfa B/Pobol Atal Wylfa B), a group based on Anglesey, WANA (Welsh Anti-Nuclear Alliance) and CND Cymru.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace Press Office on 020 7865 8255

Crynodeb (welsh summary)

Publication date: March 2001

Summary
Mae'r Adolygiad hwn yn ystyried sut y gellid disgwyl i'r broses heneiddio effeithio ar berfformiad a diogelwch yr orsaf ynni niwclear yn Wylfa.

Yn achos Wylfa, mae'r broses heneiddio yn cyfeirio at nifer fawr o ddeunyddiau a rhannau o'r adweithyddion. Mae rhai o'r prosesau heneiddio hyn yn rhai cymharol syml ac yn rhai yr ydym yn eu deall yn weddol dda; mae eraill yn fwy cymhleth sydd heb eu deall yn llwyr eto. Gyda threigl amser, daw yn fwy a mwy anodd, os nad yn fwy annibynadwy i geisio rhagweld pa broblemau sy'n deillio o heneiddio sy'n debygol o godi yn awr ac yn y dyfodol. Yn wir, wrth i oes yr adweithyddion ymestyn dros yr 20 neu 25 mlynedd a fwriadwyd ar eu cyfer yn wreiddiol, mae'n rhaid dibynnu fwyfwy ar archwilio deunyddiau a rhannau'r adweithyddion a dim ond trwy wneud hyn y gellir canfod beth yn union yw effeithiau'r broses heneiddio. Y broblem yma yw nad yw'r adweithyddion yn Wylfa yn cynnwys nodweddion sy'n ein galluogi i archwilio'r holl rannau hynny sy'n debygol o gael eu heffeithio wrth iddynt heneiddio.

The complete report (700k)

Publication date: March 2001

Summary
This Review considers how ageing of the Magnox nuclear power station at Wylfa could be expected to influence performance and safety.

For the Wylfa reactors, the ageing processes apply to a diverse range of different materials and components. Some of these ageing processes are relatively straightforward and well understood; others are complex and have yet to be fully understood. As time passes, it becomes increasingly more difficult, if not more unreliable, to predict the types of age-related problems that are likely to be encountered now and in future years. In fact, as the reactors move well beyond the 20 to 25 year design life originally specified, a greater reliance has to be placed on inspection of in-reactor materials and components and, from this, the ageing effects deduced. The problem here is that the Wylfa reactors do not include features that enable ready access to all of the components susceptible to ageing...

English language summary

Publication date: March 2001

Summary
This Review considers how ageing of the Magnox nuclear power station at Wylfa could be expected to influence performance and safety.

For the Wylfa reactors, the ageing processes apply to a diverse range of different materials and components. Some of these ageing processes are relatively straightforward and well understood; others are complex and have yet to be fully understood. As time passes, it becomes increasingly more difficult, if not more unreliable, to predict the types of age-related problems that are likely to be encountered now and in future years. In fact, as the reactors move well beyond the 20 to 25 year design life originally specified, a greater reliance has to be placed on inspection of in-reactor materials and components and, from this, the ageing effects deduced. The problem here is that the Wylfa reactors do not include features that enable ready access to all of the components susceptible to ageing.