Sizewell A's turbine hall demolished by explosives

Hundreds of kilograms of explosives have been used to demolish the turbine hall bases at Sizewell A nuclear power station.

It is the latest stage of a century-long process to fully decommission the facility on the Suffolk coast, which stopped generating electricity in December 2006.

Sizewell B is still producing power, while a new plant called Sizewell C is due to be built to the north of the site by French energy company EDF.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) said the specialist demolition works had "significantly" reduced the timetable for removal of the structures.

Decommissioning a nuclear power station is the process of removing radioactive material and making the whole site safe so that the land can be used for other purposes again.

Up to 700kg (110st) of explosives were used to debilitate the reinforced concrete turbine bases, together with the generators and condensers.

It meant the turbine bases could be completely razed to the ground using machinery within two weeks, instead of facing "several months" of drilling them, the ONR said.

The authority added the project involved "the largest single use of electronic detonators and cartridge explosive ever used on a licensed UK nuclear site".

Andrew Bull, ONR site inspector at Sizewell A, hailed the use of "novel and forward-thinking technological solutions".

"We will always support proactive and innovative methods of working, provided these are conducted safely and securely," he said.

More than 7,000 tonnes of metal was removed from the turbine hall in the lead-up to the detonation.

Cabling that ran about 35 miles (56km) in length was also taken out, as well as 8,000 scaffolding boards, clips and pipes.

The twin reactors at Sizewell A were shut down on 31 December 2006 after 40 years of low-carbon electricity generation.

Referring to the demolition, site director Alan Walker said: "The detailed planning and stakeholder engagement for this were exemplary.

"Everyone involved has done an outstanding job and this success demonstrates our commitment to achieving safe, efficient decommissioning processes."

There has not been an indication as to when an investment decision into Sizewell C will be made by the Labour government.

The previous government had said it would secure funding this year for the power plant, and £2.5bn has already been spent on the project.

Speaking in July, Alison Downes, of Stop Sizewell C, said she hoped ministers were taking the time to "reconsider their support".

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