Sizewell B power station, part of EDF Energy, has been brought safely back into service after a successful refuelling outage.

The refuelling outage has seen an additional 1,200 specialist workers on site who have assisted Sizewell B staff complete some 14,000 tasks in addition to refuelling the reactor.

Preparation work for the outage begins at least two years ahead of refuelling the reactor as part of a ten year strategic outage plan for the station. Work on site began in January with 345 tonnes of scaffolding material gradually being brought to the power station and 1,565 scaffolds safely established around the site to assist workers with the thousands of tasks to be completed on the equipment around the power station.

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The turbine hall was a hive of activity with the high pressure rotor being changed on one of the two turbines and the low pressure rotors taken apart and each blade and bolt inspected by an engineer before being put back together.

A routine pressure test of the iconic dome was also safely completed which proved the integrity of containment which houses the nuclear reactor.

Jim Crawford Sizewell B Station Director said: "The work our staff and contracting partners have safely achieved during this outage is outstanding, from replacing essential pieces of equipment such as the high pressure rotor in the turbine hall through to lifting the reactor pressure vessel head off the reactor to remove and replenish the fuel, all work has been completed safely and to the highest standards."

(CD/MH)