Heysham nuclear plant to generate until at least March 2030

Energy giant EDF has confirmed that Heysham 1 nuclear power plant will continue to generate power until March 2030.

The decision comes following a detailed review covering technical aspects like the condition of the boilers and the graphite cores as well as supply chain resilience and workforce planning.

The firm has confirmed that the extension also applies to its Hartlepool plant and will protect 1,000 jobs across the two sites and boost nuclear output by 28 TWh over the two-year extension. This would be enough, it says, to power 8.4million homes.

EDF managing director of nuclear operations John Munro said: “We have been clear it is our ambition to generate from these stations for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so it is great to confirm a further two-year extension for Heysham 1 and Hartlepool.

"The advanced gas-cooled reactor stations have been the backbone of secure, zero carbon generation in the UK for five decades. The nuclear fleet also has a key role in maintaining grid stability, which is so important as the overall system becomes led by renewables. Today's decision retains stable baseload, domestic generation, reducing reliance on imports during tighter periods.

"When nuclear goes offline it is often replaced with gas generation. If we are serious about reducing the UK's reliance on gas and retaining system stability, it makes sense to keep these stations online to support energy security and our carbon targets."

EDF will continue to keep its plants under review to establish whether further life extensions can be achieved.

Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “Extending the life of both Heysham 1 and Hartlepool means two more years of reliable, clean power. The significance of this cannot be understated, given the UK's exposure to volatile gas prices and the need to protect households by providing baseload power. Heysham 1 and Hartlepool will now continue to play a crucial part for longer.

“Today’s announcement is also a reminder that, as our existing fleet approaches retirement, we must move at pace on new nuclear, taking the decisions needed now to deliver the next generation of reliable, secure, low-carbon electricity.”