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Hinkley Point B transferred to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) for decommissioning on 1 October 2026, when the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) approved NRS as the site’s licensee. It is the first Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) site in England to make the move—but not the first in the UK: Scotland’s Hunterston B transferred earlier in 2026.

What the transfer means

There are two related parts to the change. ONR approved NRS to hold the site licence, and NRS assumed site-licensee responsibility from EDF on 1 October 2026. The government described the site as transferring from EDF to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for decommissioning, with NRS managing the work as an NDA subsidiary. The regulatory licence decision and the government’s description of the decommissioning remit are related, but they are not interchangeable legal events.

As site regulator, ONR continues to oversee safety and security. NRS will lead the decommissioning work. ONR said its licensing process found evidence supporting NRS’s application. Tom Eagleton, ONR’s Head of Safety for Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste sites, said: “Throughout the process, we have seen strong evidence to support NRS’ site licence application, and we are satisfied it has the skills and capability to safely decommission the site.” This is ONR’s assessment of the application.

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Why Hinkley Point B was ready to transfer

The station began generating electricity in 1976 and stopped generation in 2022. Both reactors have been defueled. In January 2026, the NDA, Sellafield Ltd and NRS reported that more than 4,900 spent-fuel elements had been removed over three years and transported by rail to Sellafield for safe storage. The site was then confirmed fuel-free.

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How Hinkley Point B compares with Hunterston B

Site Transfer milestone Significance
Hunterston B, Scotland Transferred to the NDA for decommissioning on 1 April 2026. First AGR station in the UK to transfer.
Hinkley Point B, England NRS became site licensee on 1 October 2026, following ONR approval. First English AGR site to transfer to NRS; second in the UK after Hunterston B.

The dates and sequence are reported by NRS and the government. The geographic distinction matters: Hinkley Point B was first in England, while Hunterston B was first across the UK.

What happens next

NRS will undertake decommissioning, including dismantling and demolishing plant and buildings. ONR’s site profile says Hinkley Point B will enter a period of care and maintenance after decommissioning. The published sources do not establish a definitive schedule or total cost for the work.

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What happens to the site workforce

The government announcement said around 250 people working at Hinkley Point B would transfer from EDF to NRS, bringing their knowledge and experience. That is the government’s reported figure, not an independently audited headcount.

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