EDF extends life of two UK nuclear plants

EDF Energy, one of the Europe’s largest energy companies, has announced it will extend the expected operating life of two of its nuclear power stations by seven years.

Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B power stations are now expected to remain operational until at least 2023.

The decision follows the five year extensions to Heysham 1 and Hartlepool announced in 2010.

Extending the life of the stations will secure the jobs of 1500 employees and contractors at the two plants in Somerset and North Ayrshire.

The company claims it will also help maintain skills in the UK nuclear industry, and give the UK secure energy at a time when much generating capacity is due to close.

Extending the life of the stations will secure the jobs of 1500 employees and contractors at the two plants in Somerset and North Ayrshire

In total, EDF operates eight nuclear power stations across the UK.

CEO Vincent de Rivaz said: “We continue to invest £300 million each year on capital expenditure in the nuclear fleet, and we spend an additional £350 million on plant operations with 90 per cent of the total being spent in the UK. 

“Life extension does not replace the need for new low carbon generation. Even as we agree to extend the life of our existing plants, we are moving forward with plans to create the next generation of nuclear power stations.”

EDF Energy expects an average of seven-year life extensions across all its Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor stations and a 20-year extension for Sizewell B, the only Pressurised Water Reactor in the UK.  

Last month, Japanese group Hitachi purchased Horizon from Germany’s E.On and RWE in £700m deal that will see it build nuclear power plants in the UK.

The group is planning to build reactors on sites at Wylfa, Anglesey and Oldbury.