Refuelling Suffolk’s nuclear power station will go ahead on schedule after the first load of radioactive waste was moved into storage.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mike Pence, Holtec; Paul Morton, Sizewell B station director; Vincent de Rivaz, EDF Energy CEO; Stuart Crooks, EDF Energy generation MD; Tom Marcille, Holtec vice president; Mark Gorry, EDF Energy chief nuclear officer; Jerry Haller, dry fuel store programme director. Picture: TONY PICKMike Pence, Holtec; Paul Morton, Sizewell B station director; Vincent de Rivaz, EDF Energy CEO; Stuart Crooks, EDF Energy generation MD; Tom Marcille, Holtec vice president; Mark Gorry, EDF Energy chief nuclear officer; Jerry Haller, dry fuel store programme director. Picture: TONY PICK (Image: © 2017 Tony Pick)

Successful operation of the dry fuel store, which opened at Sizewell B last April, means the plant can be refuelled this November.

During a visit, EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz thanked 250 people involved in the project. He was joined by generation managing director, Stuart Crooks; Holtec vice-president, Tom Marcille, and station director, Paul Moreton.

In November, a third of the station’s fuel will be removed and replaced. The store will house fuel until a geological disposal facility is available.

Mr de Rivaz said the store’s successful commissioning showed EDF’s commitment to investment and innovation.

He added: “Industrial strategy, in particular for the nuclear industry, requires a long term vision. With this project, EDF Energy has shown once again that we can make this happen.