SIZEWELL B power station was unexpectedly shut down shortly after 5pm today.

STAFF at Sizewell B are repairing a fault which shut the Essex power station down yesterday.

Overnight work was carried out to discover the cause of the shutdown which happened at 5.11pm. It found the automatic safety systems were triggered when an electrical unit was reconnected following routine maintenance work.

Jim Crawford, Sizewell B Station Director said: “The reactor was safely shutdown by our integrated automated protection equipment when an electrical unit was returned to service following maintenance.

“The plant responded as expected and at no time was anyone’s safety put at risk. Our staff at Sizewell B have responded magnificently and are working round the clock to repair the fault and safely bring the station back on line, generating enough low-carbon electricity for over 2 million homes.”