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Bradwell Nuclear Power Station
Bradwell Power Station opened in 1962 as one of the first two magnox power stations in the UK. Although expected to last 25 years it continued generating electricity for 40 years eventually ceasing to generate electricity in March 2002. Building took nearly 5 years with work starting in December 1957. The land used was formerly a World War Two airfield that had been returned to agriculture. The station has two magnox reactors powered by natural uranium with 4 cooling towers using carbon dioxide coolant. The building comprised of two large blocks with smaller buildings and distribution points covering about 10 hectares. The station generated 242 megawatts of electricity sufficient to completely power the nearby Essex towns of Chelmsford , Colchester and the conurbation of Southend on Sea. During it's lifetime just under 60 terra watts of electricity was generated. The increase of terrorism in the last few years of the active life of the power station led to increased security and prompted a statement in the House of Commons Brian Wilson, minister for
energy and construction, said: "The Government has undertaken an
assessment of potential terrorist acts against all civil nuclear power
stations. As the main employer in the district it's closure proved a negative impact on the local econony although 250 jobs exist in 2007 due to the decommissioning activity. Once the current phase of decommissioning is completed in 2008/2009 there will be no more activity on site other than structural maintainance and safety checks until 2095 when the site can be safely cleared.
The Power Station viewed from the River Blackwater
