Oldbury Power Station

Oldbury Power Station was commissioned in 1967 to generate and sell electricity, in a safe working environment.

Fuel will soon be progressively removed from the reactors and sent to Sellafield for treatment.

This defuelling is likely to take three years, after which the site begins decommissioning.

For more information, visit www.magnoxnorthsites.com/about-us/our-sites/oldbury

Site Stakeholder Group

Oldbury's Site Stakeholder Group (SSG) meets quarterly - see the calendar for details of future meetings.

SSGs are the interface between the community, the site operator, and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

They provide opportunities for

• questioning the operator, the NDA, and regulators
• reviewing, commenting on, and influencing strategies, plans, and achievements

For more information visit www.sitestakeholdergroups.org.uk/oldbury

Latest News:

Defuelling of Oldbury’s reactor one starts

Defuelling of Oldbury’s reactor one has now begun following its shut-down in February 2012, after 44 years of safe operation.

Oldbury’s reactor two finished generation in June 2011 and systematic defuelling of that reactor has been underway since 2012, and is over 16 per cent complete. Once the fuel elements are removed from the reactors, they are stored in the site’s cooling ponds and then transferred by rail to Sellafield in heavily shielded flasks for reprocessing.

Since Oldbury ended electricity generation, preparations have been underway to prepare the reactor for the defuelling phase of its lifecycle, including removal of hazardous operational gases and chemicals, modifications to the equipment, staff training and reorganisation.

Site Director, Mike Heaton, said: “There are over 25,000 elements in the reactor, so this is a major step forward towards decommissioning the site, but there is a long way to go.

“Our intention is to safely defuel both reactors in line with the Magnox Operating Programme, removing over 99 per cent of the radioactivity from the site.”

When it ceased generation in 2012, Oldbury was the world’s oldest operating nuclear power station.

Oldbury Generator Transformer On The Move

The first large item of plant has been taken off Oldbury site as part of its decommissioning programme.

During operation, the generator transformer played a vital role in converting the electrical output from the station to make it suitable for distribution to homes and businesses across the UK.

Mike Heaton, Oldbury Site Director said: “The completion of this project safely and ahead of schedule marks the first successful step in consigning major waste items from Oldbury. Income from recycling the scrap metal will help pay for the UK nuclear decommissioning programme.”

The transformer weighs in at over 170 tonnes, contains more than 30 tonnes of copper and around 120 tonnes of steel, measuring over four metres high, nine metres long and four metres wide.

Following detailed preparation work, the transformer was transferred to Sharpness Docks on a specialist low-loader where it will be sent for recycling.

Oldbury donate £500 for Brownie badges

The 5th Thornbury Brownies have received £500 from Oldbury site to help them work towards their Brownie Badges.

The funding has been awarded from the Magnox Limited Socio-Economic Scheme, which is funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and EnergySolutions.

Lorraine Parry, Brown Owl, said: “We are very grateful for the funding. It has allowed the Brownies to complete the Winter Fun challenge badge; where the brownies were able to produce winter themed arts and crafts, and the Chocolate Challenge badge, which provided a selection of chocolate based games, recipes, puzzles and activities. We are now working towards the Wellie Challenge Badge and a Caterpillar Badge, where we will be working alongside the RSPB.”

Mike Heaton, Oldbury Site Director, said: “The site is always pleased to support a local community based group like the 5th Thornbury Brownies. The group helps to promote education, skills and development for young children.”

Take A Look Behind The Scenes At Oldbury

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on inside a nuclear power station, now’s your chance to find out!

Oldbury Power Station now has a host of 360 degree virtual tours of the plant live on its website.

The site’s visitor centre closed its doors to the public in 2006 but now everyone has the chance to see what the turbine hall looks like, what happens on the pile cap and just how many buttons there are in the control room!

It is hoped by offering a photographic virtual tour of the site, with descriptions of what processes go on in each area, that people will understand more about what goes on at the station. Oldbury invited a local photographer to take pictures of several areas in and around the station which have been stitched together to form 360 degree images.

Over the years Oldbury has had a fantastic relationship with local residents and businesses, and has welcomed thousands of visitors to the site. Politicians have dropped in and pop stars have recorded performances for Top of the Pops in one of the reactors. The reactor charge face was once the board for the Monopoly World Championships, and in 1976, the station was even a backdrop for the Doctor Who episode ‘The Hand of Fear’.

The 360 degree images can be found on the Oldbury page of the Magnox North Website, at www.magnoxnorthsites.com/oldbury. Interactive DVDs containing the Oldbury Power Station virtual tour will be available soon. To obtain a DVD, please contact Sarah Lang in the Communication Department at Oldbury Power Station on 01454 893837 or .

History of Oldbury

Oldbury Power Station was officially declared as being commissioned in 1968.

Building at the site began in 1961 and Oldbury was publicly opened by the former Labour MP Tony Benn on 10 June 1969, in his capacity as Secretary of State for Industry.

Oldbury’s reactor one first went critical on 18 September 1967 and on 9 November 1967 reactor one and turbine one generated the first spark of electricity.

On a typical day the station can produce enough electricity to serve the combined populations of Bristol and Bath.

Site Director Joe Lamonby said: “Oldbury is now the longest serving nuclear power station in the country and has generated over 118 terawatt hours of electricity.

“The site has endeavoured to be a good neighbour to the local community – we have never had a nuclear safety event and are confident the station will continue to provide electricity safely until our planned closure date.

“Over the years the site has helped to support hundreds of community projects and we hope the fantastic relations we have with local residents and businesses alike will continue for many more years to come.”

The site has welcomed a host of famous visitors, including the pop band Slade who recorded a performance for Top Of The Pops inside one of Oldbury’s reactors.

And in 1976 Tom Baker visited the site as Doctor Who when the reactors formed the backdrop for ‘The Hand Of Fear’ episode. The instalment will be remembered by fans as the last time the Doctor’s trusty assistant Sarah (played by Elisabeth Sladen) featured.

So successful was the filming that the BBC’s other sci-fi programme, Blakes 7, also used the site as a set.

Oldbury first featured in an episode filmed in 1977 called ‘Time Squad’ playing the role of The Federation Transceiver Complex. In 1978 the site fulfilled the role of Spaceworld in the ‘Redemption’ episode and was Q Base in the episode called ‘Killer’.

In addition the reactor charge face has been the board for the world Monopoly championship in 1977, and the site welcomed thousands of less well known visitors when it opened its doors for tours of the site.

Contact Us

If you would like to know more about activities at Oldbury Power Station please contact Zoe Young, Communications, Oldbury Power Station on 01454 893322 or via email:

Oldbury Power Station, Oldbury Naite, Thornbury, South Glos BS35 1RQ
Tel: +44 (0)1454 893540
Fax: +44 (0)1454 8937244