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The UK’s nuclear power fleet has reached a major milestone this week, passing the 2,000 terawatt hour (TWh) generation mark.
EDF, which runs the country’s eight nuclear plants, pointed out that this was enough to power the nation’s homes for more than 18 years.
It said that since the oldest stations in the fleet started generating electricity in 1976, they have also helped to avoid the emission of 700 million tonnes of CO2. EDF claimed this was the equivalent carbon saving of taking 31.7 million cars off the road for a decade.
Five of the eight reactors are due to be cease generating before 2030, while EDF is currently constructing Hinkley Point C – the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK for 20 years.
The company’s Sizewell C proposal is expected to the first beneficiary of the government’s plans to implement the regulated asset base (RAB) funding model for new nuclear builds. The company described the government’s stance as “a big step forward”.
Commenting on the generation milestone, Matt Sykes, managing director of EDF’s Generation business, said: “For decades the UK’s nuclear fleet has been quietly providing the nation’s zero carbon electricity. Originally it was thought our stations would operate for about 25 years. But thanks to careful stewardship, world leading engineering expertise and billions of pounds of investment, we have been able to generate safely well beyond those dates.
“We know nuclear can divide opinion. The undeniable facts are that we have kept Britain’s homes supplied with precisely the sort of reliable, zero carbon power the world is now crying out for – and all from an operational footprint less than one square mile.”
Energy minister Greg Hands said: “This milestone demonstrates the key role that nuclear power has to play in Britain’s electricity mix, as the UK works to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and exposure to volatile global gas prices.
“While more renewables will help us press on towards our world-leading net zero commitment, nuclear power has proven a reliable backbone to our energy system, and will continue to be needed for times when the sun isn’t shining or the wind not blowing.”
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