Further life extension of two UK nuclear power stations

In December 2024, EDF Energy extended the lifetimes of all four of its generating advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) plants. It said Heysham 1 and Hartlepool - which were due to move into defuelling in March 2026 based on a review in 2023 - would continue operating until March 2027. Meanwhile, Heysham 2 and Torness - which were due to move into defuelling in March 2028 based on a review in 2021 - will operate until March 2030.

The company has now announced that, following a series of positive graphite inspections at both plants over the past nine months, it has decided Heysham 1 and Hartlepool will continue operating until March 2028.

"Extending the life of these stations makes sense," said Mark Hartley, Managing Director of EDF's Nuclear Operations business. "It secures employment for longer for more than 1,000 people who work at those sites, and it supports the UK's ambitions to have a clean, secure electricity supply. A further year of operation for these two stations has the potential to power more than four million homes and reduce the need for imported gas."

EDF Energy noted that Heysham 2 and Torness were not in scope for this review after a two-year extension and remain scheduled to generate until March 2030.

"EDF's ambition is to continue making zero-carbon electricity at its four generating AGR stations for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so and will keep station lifetimes under review," it said.  

Centrica, which has a 20% share in the Heysham and Hartlepool plants, noted: "The total life extensions announced since December 2024 are projected to add approximately 12 TWh to the company's electricity generation volumes between 2026 and 2030, with 3 TWh attributable to the extensions announced today."

"The UK needs more reliable, affordable, zero-carbon electricity, so the extension of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool is great news," said Centrica Group CEO Chris O'Shea. "We believe in having a diversified energy system, with nuclear power playing a key role in ensuring stability and sustainability for decades to come."

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, commented: "These lifetime extensions are hugely welcome - they'll cut bills, cut emissions and protect jobs in communities that rely on them. It's the single biggest step forward for energy security this year, and a vital boost for our stretched power grid. And the real opportunity ahead is even greater: by building new nuclear alongside these extensions, we can secure a clean, reliable and resilient power system for the long term."