Both Heysham 1 and 2 nuclear power stations will remain operational for longer, it has been announced.
Operator EDF has announced that Heysham 1 has extended generation by one year to 2027 and Heysham 2 will continue to produce electricity for an extra two years to 2030.
Combined, the two stations, which started generating in the 1980s, have produced enough zero-carbon electricity to power every home in Lancashire for more than 265 years.
EDF made the decision following a full technical review of all four of its generating Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) stations, that has been carried out over recent months.
The licenced nuclear site at Heysham is unique; in that it is the only one in the UK to have two generating power stations. Across the two sites, the extended lifetimes will secure the jobs of more than 1,500 staff and contractors for longer and preserve nuclear skills in the area.
As well as supporting employment, extending the generating lives of the Heysham stations will Dolster the UK’s security of supply and support plans for the rapid expansion of renewables by helping to maintain stability. It will also help limit the UK’s dependence on imported gas.
Heysham 1 Station Director, Mike Davies, said: “This life extension is fantastic news for our workforce and the wider community. We’ll continue to make positive contributions to the region ay generating low-carbon electricity while supporting local families, businesses, and jobs.”
Heysham 2 Station Director, Martin Cheetham, added: “This decision reflects EDF’s continued investment in the sites and indeed the area, as well as the hard work, dedication and expertise of our staff and local suppliers, who have been imperative to its operation and productivity.”
This decision will see the lifetimes of all four generating AGR stations in the UK extended. Heysham 1 and Hartlepool (Teesside) have both had their lives extended by one year to 2027, while Heysham 2 and Torness (East Lothian, Scotland) will generate for two years longer to 2030.
When EDF acquired these stations in 2009 they were all due to come offline by early 2023, which would have left the UK with just one generating nuclear station at Sizewell B. Careful stewardship and around £8bn of investment since 2009 has seen several life extensions for these stations and much higher output than was predicted.
The news was welcomed by Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge, who said: “I am pleased that the power stations have passed all the safety and regulatory tests in order to get approval for life extensions.
‘’This is obviously a decision for regulators, not Government, but as nuclear is essential to net zero, I am very happy to see this news. Nuclear provides clean ‘always on’ energy, providing stability for the grid so we can get off gas and make the most of renewables such as wind and solar without destabilising the network.
“I will continue to campaign for new nuclear power to come to the area. Heysham has all the qualities needed for the new Small Modular Reactor programme including skilled staff, transport links and a supportive local community who have seen the benefit of good jobs from the stations for decades.”
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