22 November 2016
Dear LLC member
Torness power station unit 1 shut down
As a member of our community, I believe it is important to keep you updated on any developments at
Torness Power Station. I wanted to make you aware that one of our reactors came off-line earlier on
today. This is the first unplanned shut down of Reactor 1 this year and ends our longest ever run of
859 days.
Reactor 1 came off-line automatically at 08:45 on Tuesday, 22 November due to an increase in
seaweed levels as a result of the weather conditions in the area. We are currently monitoring the
weather and the seaweed levels and will confirm once we have returned the unit to service.
We know that at certain times of year particular weather conditions in this part of the Forth Estuary
can lead to increased seaweed volumes which can enter the station’s cooling water intake system. Our
staff are trained to respond in this situation, and to take the plant offline if necessary. In addition, the
plant’s safety systems monitor conditions like this will take the unit offline automatically, should levels
rise beyond prescribed settings, ensuring safety at all times.
Cooling to the reactor was maintained at all times and there were no health or environmental impacts.
Torness has generated low carbon electricity, safely, for 28 years. It continues to provide enough
electricity to power more than two million homes across Scotland.
If you wish to ask any questions please feel free to ring the station on 01368 873000 and ask for our
Community Liaison Officer, Ashleigh Dickson.
Yours faithfully

Paul Winkle
Station Director
Torness Power Station

EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited
Torness Power Station
Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1QS
T: +44 (0)1368 873000
F: +44 (0)1368 873846
www.edfenergy.com
Registered office: Barnett Way, Barnwood
Gloucester, GL4 3RS. Registered in England
and Wales number 3076445.

BEG/FORM/COMM/012 Revision 003