EDF will extend the operational life of four British nuclear reactors

EDF said it would extend the lives of four British nuclear power plants and invest 1,34 billion pounds in the British fleet between 2025 and 2027. This will boost the energy security of the country and its efforts to achieve its climate goals.

Britain's goal is to decarbonise the electricity sector by 2030, and reduce its dependence on fossil fuel power plants that currently provide around one third of Britain's power.

The nuclear power plants in Britain provide 14% of the electricity that Britain uses, but they were all scheduled to be closed by 2028.

Ed Miliband, Britain's Energy Secretary, said in a statement from EDF: "We cannot achieve clean energy by 2030 without nuclear. It provides a steady supply of clean energy that is all-important."

EDF, the French state-owned utility, said that it would extend the life of Heysham 2 & Torness for two additional years until March 2030.

The lifespan of the Heysham 1 plant and Hartlepool plant will be extended one year, to March 2027.

The four sites can produce enough electricity for around 7,000,000 homes.

Centrica, who owns 20% of the nuclear plants, said that the extensions will help bridge the gap until more low-carbon technologies such as new nuclear reactors can be deployed.

EDF previously stated that it would be open to extending the life of its fifth plant Sizewell B by 20 years. However, no decision will likely be made for some time, as the plant is scheduled to shut down in 2035.

The five plants will receive a total of 1.3 billion pounds in investment over the next 3 years.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation, Britain's nuclear regulator said that safety cases were required to allow the extension of life.

The ONR stated that "multiple safety cases will need to be updated at each station to achieve EDF’s stated goals, along with investments in plant to maintain equipment reliability."

EDF is also building Hinkley Point C in Somerset, southwest England. This plant could be operational in 2029. ($1 = 0.7910 pound)

(source: Reuters)