A NUCLEAR reactor at Hinkley Point B power station will be taken out of service later today – but bosses say it’s for routine maintenance and power supply won’t be affected.

EDF Energy says the reactor is being removed from service as part of a £40million maintenance programme, which will see an extra 1,000 workers brought in over the next ten weeks, to carry out 12,000 individual pieces of work.

The work will include inspections inside the reactor, as well as installation of new equipment at the plant.

The biggest projects include replacing two large gas circulators which help cool the reactor, as well as replacing blades on the turbine which is used to turn steam into low carbon electricity.

The maintenance periods, known as “statutory outages”, take place every three years and are planned in advance with the National Grid to ensure there is no impact on the national electricity supply.

Hinkley Point B’s other reactor is due to continue operating normally throughout the period.

Station director, Mike Harrison, said: “This inspection and investment programme has been carefully planned over the last two years and will enable us to continue safely generating low carbon electricity at Hinkley B for many years to come.

“It’s good news for the local economy which will see benefits for local shops, taxis, restaurants, B and Bs and hotels.”

Mike Davies, outage manager, added: “Taking the reactor out of service means we can inspect it and carry out maintenance which we wouldn’t normally be able to do.

"Inspections will take place inside the reactor as well as in its boilers. We’ll be working closely with our contractors and nuclear engineering specialists from across the country to get this work done on time.”

Hinkley Point B’s two reactors generate enough electricity to power around one and a half million homes and started operating in February 1976. The station is due to continue operating until 2023.