British Energy Shuts Down Four Reactors

UK energy utility British Energy has taken four nuclear reactors out of service after a routine inspection uncovered problems at the sites.

Hartlepool Reactor 1 - currently on statutory outage - was due to return to service next month but has been shut down as a precautionary measure after a routine inspection detected a problem with one of its boiler closure units.

British Energy has also closed two sister units in Hartlepool and Heysham, located in the north of England, as a result of the inspection.

It is not yet known when the reactors willl re-start service, a spokeswoman for British Energy said.

Shares in British Energy fell today following the announcement.

By staff writer