Heysham 2 has been named the UK's most productive nuclear power station.
The station has generated almost 311TWh of low carbon electricity, enough to power every home in Lancashire for more than 180 years, during its 37-year history.
By reaching this milestone, Heysham 2 has overtaken Hinkley Point B in Somerset, which previously held the record and stopped generating in 2022 on 310.7TWh.
Heysham 2 is one of seven Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) stations in the UK, the first of which, Hinkley Point B, came online almost 50 years ago.
“Reaching this milestone is an incredible achievement for Heysham 2 and a testament to the dedication of our team," said Martin Cheetham, Heysham 2 Station Director.
“Knowing that this amount of energy is enough to power every home in Lancashire for more than 180 years really brings home the scale of what we’ve delivered for the region and the country over the years.
“Through construction and generation, the station has been part of the community for more than 45 years, providing thousands of jobs and, along with Heysham 1, contributing more than £28 billion to the UK economy.”
Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, pictured below with Mr Cheetham, said: “I am so pleased to hear the news that Heysham 2 Power Station has become the most productive low carbon energy source the UK has ever seen.
“Heysham 2, which stands next to Heysham 1, was first connected to the grid in 1988 and since then has delivered baseload energy to maintain grid stability as the country moved towards decarbonisation.
“As a community we are all proud of our nuclear energy generation, so to reach this milestone is a real validation of all the hard work and commitment shown by workers at Heysham since the 1980s.
“I will continue to push for new nuclear at Heysham so that we can continue the longstanding tradition of energy generation in our area. We have the skilled workforce and infrastructure to support a new power station so I hope to see investment in our area soon.
“Well done to all those involved in the Heysham 2 Project, for delivering a record-breaking amount of low-carbon energy in a safe, reliable, way."
Construction of Heysham 2 power station started in August 1980.
The first reactor was synched to the grid on July 12 1988 and the second on November 11 1988.
Heysham 2 employs approximately 520 full-time EDF employees plus more than 250 full-time contract partners.
EDF took over the UK nuclear fleet in 2009. Since then the company has invested more than £8.6 billion and is investing a further £1.2 billion over the next three years to help sustain current levels of generation, boost energy security, and cut carbon.
In 2009, Heysham 2 was due to stop generating in 2023 after 35 years of operation. Its current end-of-generation date is March 2030, with an ambition to generate further, subject to plant inspections and regulatory approvals
Sean Kyle, Operations Support Engineer who has worked at Heysham 2 since 1985,said: “I consider myself very fortunate to have worked at Heysham 2 for all these years.
"The station has given me a varied and interesting career, and I feel proud to have been part of the journey from commissioning to the present day.”
Read more: Heysham 1 gets one year life extension - Beyond Radio
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