Despite no longer generating power, Dungeness continues to provide the local area with significant economic opportunities and community support. An exhibition held in Rye on October 20 and 21 gave local residents an opportunity to ask questions about the decommissioning project and future of the site. Around 60 visitors took advantage of visiting the Rye event, with a further 65 visiting in New Romney.
The project, managed by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), part of the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, started in 2006, and could continue for up to 50 years. This brings wide-ranging employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, as the necessary skills are developed to decommission the 15 sites that make up the older generation of Britain’s nuclear infrastructure.
Ultimately most of the buildings at Dungeness A and B will be removed, while leaving and protecting the main reactor buildings. This is a major engineering project, and includes, among many other challenges, the removal of eight massive 800- tonne boilers from the site. This requires the development of new skills and capabilities to both remove the infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety of the site.
Visitors included someone waiting for a bus to Hastings who “wanted to know how the skyline would change as the project develops”. Another resident “used to know someone who worked there” and was interested in the long-term use of the site, hoping that the the infrastructure already in place would be used for a new nuclear power station.
Kayleigh Ridley, from NRS, described the technical activities underway but also emphasised the commitment of NRS to the local community, with wide ranging educational, environmental protection and charitable programmes in place involving over £1.3m of investment to date. Open communication on the project is also a high priority, with a site stakeholder group available to anyone interested in learning more.
Interestingly, visitors could take the opportunity to suggest long term uses for the site, with options including a business park, nature park, solar farm or a new nuclear facility. During my visit at least, the construction of a new nuclear power station seemed the most popular, a view reinforced by a significant majority of visitors to both the Rye and New Romney events supporting “new nuclear”.
Dungeness, which since 1961 has been a highly visible landmark in the area, will change forever. Most of the structure will disappear, leaving only the reactor buildings to be seen across Rye Bay. Nevertheless, important nature conservation and flood protection works will continue, awaiting whatever new use the area will be put to.
Image Credits: Peter Connock .
I would say I will miss it dominating the skyline but I’m not sure it will all be dismantled in my lifetime .. I for one like the juxtaposition of it against the skyline. It adds to the quirkiness and wild beauty of the area. Dungeness is NOT bleak !!! I love it
So sad to hear the skyline will change.I used to drive to dungeness on a daily basis used to love to see the buildings in the distance approaching from rye.I agree with michelle in that dungeness is never bleak!
I was interested to read your article on the changing skyline at Dungeness, forwarded to me by a friend. Interested because I joined the CEGB in 1963 as a Mechanical Engineer in the Maintenance department to take over plant as it was commissioned and recruit maintenance staff. Because of the lack of new housing we were allowed to use housing built for staff in Lydd before moving to New Romney. Five busy, but enjoyable years that followed with many happy memories. I was the last human being to see the inside of Reactor 2 and witness final clean conditions and did many boiler inspections in full nuclear suits thereafter. My wife was a secretary for TNPG………….Broadlands Crescent in New Romney was affectionately referred to as “Megawatt Estate”
Bob Summers….York.
I would very much like to see this power station providing much needed employment opportunities, not just a few positions as is currently, but used for it’s full potential. There are many 2 & 3 bedroom properties for sale along this stretch of coastline that no one wants to buy, many have been up for sale long term due to no employment here available. Dungeness Power Station should not be left to just fold up.
Nuclear power stations have a design life. ‘A’ site stopped generating years ago, ‘B’ site 5 years or so ago, and is in the process of defuelling.
The more frequent and ferocious storms and rising sea levels put the location at higher risk. There are safer locations across the country, closer to customer demand too.
Decommissioning struggles to recruit and retain skilled personnel. It’s a misconception there are no jobs available.
There are two nuclear power stations at Dungeness. Much of the article above refers to Dungeness A, a Magnox station, which shutdown in 2006 and was completely defueled in 2012. Dungeness B, an AGR station, stopped generating electricity in 2021 and has two reactors which are currently being defueled by EDF Energy staff. Once complete the station and remaining staff will transferred to NRS for demolition of the non nuclear parts and safe storage of the reactors themselves. There will continue to be a requirement for a skilled workforce on site for the next 20 or so years although not at the levels required by a generating nuclear power station.
My grandmother lives in dungeness, and the drive there is always at an end when I see the power stations on the skyline. It feels like a comforting sight of home after so many years.
I agree with Michelle, I like the juxtaposition of the buildings against the beauty of the shore. Many childhood memories of the lights from the power stations lighting up the foggy nights, as the foghorn sounded from the lighthouse. Will it change for the better? I’m not so sure.