EDF to keep nuclear plants open in British energy security boost

EDF will keep two of its ageing nuclear plants open for longer than planned in a boost to Britain’s energy security.

The French state-owned company said Heysham 1 and Hartlepool stations will now generate electricity until March 2026. The plants have been open for 40 years and were scheduled to close next March.

EDF had warned that Britain’s windfall tax on electricity generators might deter it from keeping the plants open any longer.

However, it had decided to extend the life of the facilities for another two years after a “rigorous review by EDF of the technical and commercial cases for life extension”. The nuclear fleet has benefited from high electricity prices over the past 18 months. The company’s UK division, which includes wind farms and a household supply business, made profits of £1.12bn last year.

The move will be welcomed in Whitehall, given the backdrop of strained electricity supplies as ageing plants close. The plants have a combined capacity of just over 2GW, each able to supply about 1.8m homes.

Matt Sykes, managing director of EDF’S generation business, said: “Our ongoing investment and careful stewardship of the UK nuclear fleet since 2009 has allowed us to make today’s decision and helps support the UK’S energy security at this challenging time.” EDF owns Britain’s nuclear fleet alongside minority partner Centrica, which has a 20pc stake.

Mr Sykes said the decision would help the UK cut gas imports and preserve jobs and skills. More than a thousand people work at the sites. Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the National Industry Association trade group, said it “will provide a huge boost to the UK’S short-term energy security”.

He added: “It’s an enormous credit to the skill and dedication of the station staff that these reactors have been able to operate for so long and contribute so much to the nation.”