EDF has confirmed further life extensions for two of its UK nuclear stations. Heysham 1 in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside will continue generating until March 2028, an extension of 12 months. The decision was taken following a series of positive graphite inspections at both stations over the past nine months.
Dr Mark Hartley, Managing Director of EDF’s Nuclear Operations business, said: “I am pleased we have been able to confirm a further 12 months of operation for Heysham 1 and Hartlepool. “Extending the life of these stations makes sense. 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.”
In December 2024, EDF extended the lifetimes of all four of its generating Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations. At that time Heysham 1 and Hartlepool were given a one-year extension as there were a number of important inspection and safety case milestones due in 2025. Positive results from the inspections supported the extension decision. The two stations had been due to move into defueling in March 2027 based on the review in December 2024.
The results of inspections of the graphite cores during 2025 have supported EDF’s decision to extend station lifetimes. These dates are forecasts, and the precise dates will be determined by the results of regular graphite inspections and how those results are interpreted within EDF and by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Heysham 2 and Torness, which are both scheduled to generate until March 2030, were not inspected as a two-year extension was granted in 2024. EDF said it aims to continue operation of the four AGRs for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so and will keep station lifetimes under review.
Decisions on end of generation dates for EDF’s stations in the UK are independent of the regulator or government and are taken by EDF’s licensee board following recommendations from EDF Nuclear Generation Limited’s Executive.
An ONR spokesperson said: “As the independent nuclear regulator, we are conscious of the nation’s energy challenges and government aspirations to achieve net zero. We will always try to regulate in a way that helps industry, working constructively with EDF on their plans to extend the life of their nuclear plants, while ensuring it achieves the required standards of safety and security in the most practical way.”
The spokesperson added: “Although their plant life extension decisions do not need formal regulatory assessment or permissioning by ONR, it is a requirement of the site licence that operations be carried out under a valid safety case. Several safety cases at each station are likely to require updating to achieve EDF’s stated ambitions, together with investment in plant to sustain equipment reliability, all while ensuring that the necessary people and skills are available. The ongoing safety of operations at any nuclear site must be fully demonstrated to us as part of ongoing regulation which will be informed by our extensive inspection and assessment regime.”
“The UK needs more reliable, affordable, zero-carbon electricity, so the extension of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool is great news,” stated Chris O’Shea, Group CEO of Centrica, which has a 20% share in the two stations. “We believe in having a diversified energy system, with nuclear power playing a key role in ensuring stability and sustainability for decades to come.”
