Generation had been stopped at the number 3 and number 4 units at its Hunterston B and Hinckley Point B plants to allow for boiler repairs. The number 3 reactor had been expected to return to service, albeit not at full capacity, at the end of this month with the number 4 generator coming back onstream at the end of January.

The company now says that work has been completed at Hinckley Point B’s number 4 unit but not at the Hunterston B number 4 unit. Defects to a tail pipe were discovered on those units and now there is to be further inspection of the number 3 units. As a result of this, it will now be the end of March before the generators re-enter service at 70 per cent of capacity.

British Energy said it would try to bring planned maintenance at Hunterston B forward to coincide with the additional boiler checks.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/31956554-900d-11db-8a42-0000779e2340.html