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Lightning strike resulted in power loss at Dounreay


By Gordon Calder

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DOUNREAY suffered a power cut as a result of a lightning strike.

The incident, which occurred in June this year, was mentioned at a meeting of the Dounreay Stakeholders Group this week.

But it was stressed the incident posed no threat to people or the environment and was not a direct strike on the plant.

A Dounreay spokeswoman said yesterday: "During adverse weather in June, electricity supply issues in the local area affected Dounreay and there was short loss of supply to the site, including the backup generator. The site’s incident control centre was set up and there was no risk to people or the environment as a result. The regulators were informed."

Dounreay lost power after a lightning strike. Picture: DSRL and NDA
Dounreay lost power after a lightning strike. Picture: DSRL and NDA

The incident was referred to by Stewart Ballantine of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency when he gave his report to members at Wednesday night's meeting in Thurso. It is understood the loss of power lasted about an hour.

The site – the former centre of nuclear fast reactor research and development – is being decommissioned and the land cleaned up. The work should be completed by between 2030 and 2033.

Meanwhile, members heard that an radioactive americium particle which was washed up on the Dounreay foreshore in December 2016 contained "a negligible amount of activity".

Tests were done on the particle – described as "unusual" – and an update given at this week's meeting.

DSG chairman Roger Saxon asked if particles from the Dounreay site are still being reported on.

Mr Ballantine said monitoring is ongoing and reported.

Sand-sized fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel were flushed into the sea from Dounreay in the 1960s and 1970s.

Particles of irradiated nuclear fuel were first detected on the Dounreay site coastal strip in 1983 and on the beach at Sandside in 1984.


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