The Hunterston A reactor design was unique in that each was raised up to a height of over 10 m (33 feet) to enable refuelling to take place from underneath.

This meant that gravity assisted the process of used fuel removal, and avoided the need for lifting machinery to be inserted into the active core for on-load refuelling.

The ongoing decommissioning process is being managed by NDA subsidiary Magnox Ltd. Defuelling, removal of most buildings and a care and maintenance phase is planned until 2072.

Demolition of reactor buildings and final site clearance is planned for 2072 to 2080 [7] From construction to closure in March 1990, the power station was owned and operated by South of Scotland Electricity Board.

In 1996, upon privatisation of the UK nuclear industry, the site was transferred, this time on its own to the state-owned Magnox Electric.