EDF mulls life extensions for four nuclear plants

EDF has revealed it is considering further life extensions for its four advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) power stations as part of an update on the future of its UK nuclear fleet.

The company has also announced plans to invest an additional £1.3 billion in its five operational nuclear plants to maintain output at around current levels until at least 2026.

EDF said its nuclear fleet generated 37.3TWh of electricity in 2023, down 15% on the previous year due to station closures and outages.

The company said maintaining output at this level would represent a 40% increase when compared to its forecast last year and comes as a result of its decision in March 2023 to extend the lives of its Hartlepool and Heysham 1 AGR power stations by a further two years to March 2026.

EDF said its two other operational AGR plants – Heysham 2 and Torness – are currently scheduled to cease generating in March 2028. The lifetimes of all four plants will be reviewed again by the end of this year, with the aim of increasing output beyond current levels, “subject to plant inspections and regulatory approvals”.

The company said maintaining nuclear output at current levels would mean the government receiving an additional £600 million in tax revenues through the Electricity Generator Levy over the period 2023 to 2025.

EDF additionally confirmed that it is considering extending the life of Sizewell B – the UK’s only pressured water reactor – by 20 years to 2055. It intends to make a final investment decision during 2025 but said “securing a sustainable commercial model is necessary to enable such a decision”.

Mark Harley, managing director of EDF’s nuclear operations business, said: “EDF has built a strong track record of safely operating the UK’s existing nuclear fleet, delivering over 35% more clean power than initially forecast.

“Looking ahead our aim is to maintain output from the four AGR stations for as long as possible and extend Sizewell B by a further 20 years, out to 2055. Maximising output also helps preserve the critical nuclear skills and capabilities that will be valuable for future nuclear projects.”

Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, commented: “EDF’s unprecedented investment in our nuclear fleet has helped preserve it as a bedrock of our energy security. Their ambition to extend the four AGR stations further if possible, should be widely welcomed – as it will cut gas imports, cut carbon and relieve winter pressures on our shaky grid.”

He continued: “While lifetime extensions will help in the short term, they won’t address the medium and long-term issues of a fleet getting close to retirement – what we now need is for the government to get Sizewell C to a final investment decision swiftly, and set out a plan for a new fleet of stations large and small to maintain nuclear’s contribution to our energy security and economic prosperity for the future.”

Jess Ralston, analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: “Experts including the Climate Change Committee are clear that the UK will need some new nuclear on top of the wind and solar power which will make up the backbone of our future electricity system.

“But, unlike with offshore wind and other renewables, so far the government has struggled with how to fund it and its most recent proposal leaves taxpayers on the hook for delays and increased costs. Hinkley Point C is well over budget and set to see further delays.”

Ralston said prolonging the life of existing nuclear may “plug a gap” whilst the government sorts out the funding models and projects get underway, “but it’s not a permanent solution”.

“The gas crisis has highlighted that we can’t afford to depend on gas for power and that we need to reduce our reliance on it to achieve the government’s stated aim of energy independence,” she added. “Renewables are cheaper and quicker to build than nuclear plants, so offer a quicker route to energy independence.”

EDF is currently defueling its three other AGR power stations – Hunterston B, Hinkley Point B and Dungeness – following their closure over 2021 and 2022.

Hunterston B is already more than half way through this process, whilst Hinkley Point B is over a quarter of the way through. Both are due to be transferred to Nuclear Restoration Services in 2026 for long-term decommissioning. The defueling of Dungeness B began in May last year.