Heysham 1 nuclear power station will stay online for a further year than previously intended.
The station was due to end energy generation in March 2027, but this has been extended to March 2028.
Its sister station in Hartlepool, Teesside has also been given an extension.
Heysham 2, and its sister station, Torness, in East Lothian, Scotland were not considered as part of a review by owners EDF, having received a two-year extension to March 2030 last year.
Mike Davies, station director at Heysham 1 Power Station, said: “This is fantastic news for the local area and beyond.
"Extending the life of Heysham 1 means we can continue to support hundreds of skilled, well-paid jobs, invest in the local economy, and provide reliable, low-carbon electricity to homes and businesses across the UK for longer.
"This decision is a true testament to the 750 staff members and contractors who work with unwavering commitment to keep the station running safely and efficiently. Their expertise, dedication, and pride in what they do have made this extension possible.”
At the end of last year Heysham power stations owners EDF extended the lives of all four of its generating Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations. As part of that review Heysham 1 was extended to March 2027, and Heysham 2 to March 2030.
This new 12-month extension for Heysham 1 follows a series of positive graphite inspections at the station over the past nine months, said EDF.
Heysham 1 began generating electricity in 1983 and was originally meant to generate for 25 years.
Since EDF acquired the UK’s nuclear fleet in 2009, around £8bn has been invested in the stations, enabling multiple life extensions and significantly higher output than originally forecast.
“The station is currently preparing for a statutory outage on one of its reactors, this is like an MOT for the unit and takes place roughly every three years," said Mr Davies.
"During this outage we’ll be investing approximately £45m into the station, further demonstrating EDF’s commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient operation.”
The statutory outage will also bring hundreds of additional workers to the site who will use area’s hotels, restaurants and other establishments, bringing a further boost to the local economy, said EDF.
EDF said their ambition is to continue making zero-carbon electricity at its generating stations for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so and will keep station lifetimes under review.
The decision on the change of generation dates for the two stations was taken following a series of EDF executive and licensee board meetings on September 1.
Decisions on end of generation dates for EDF’s nuclear power 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.
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 independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
End of generation dates are kept under review and revised based on the best information available at the time.
Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: "I welcome the decision to extend the operation of Heysham 1 Power Station for another year until 2028.
"I am very pleased that the power station has passed the necessary tests required in order to get approval for this life extension.
“Nuclear power remains a key part of our Net Zero mission as it provides always on, baseload energy. This extension provides vital energy security as we continue to towards this goal, and it supports the hundreds of skilled jobs that are essential to our local economy.”
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