Magnox North’s Oldbury Power Station is celebrating its return to generating electricity at ‘full-power’ after exactly five years of reduced output.

Oldbury’s Reactor 2 returned from its statutory maintenance outage on 22 May 2009 and was synchronised with the national grid – five years to-the-day since the last time both Oldbury’s reactors operated together. Reactor 1 has been at power since 14 March 2009.

Oldbury was originally scheduled to cease generation in December 2008, but has since received the go-ahead to continue generating.

Dr Brian Burnett, Magnox Programme Director for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority which owns the Magnox sites, said:  “We are delighted by this return to full power as this ensures further benefit from one of the NDA’s valuable assets.

“The income generated over the extension period will be utilised to support our clean-up mission and Oldbury will continue to contribute to the UK’s electricity supply. 

“I would also like to pay tribute to the dedication of the Magnox North team who have gone the extra mile to make this happen.”

Oldbury’s Site Director, Joe Lamonby, added: “I am delighted that Oldbury is back generating electricity at full-power after an extended period of reduced output.

“It is testament to the hard work and commitment of Magnox North staff that we are able to continue generating electricity safely.