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EDF to extend the lives of existing AGR power stations

EDF Energy has announced new scheduled closure dates for four of its nuclear power stations: Heysham 1 and Heysham 2 in Lancashire, Hartlepool in Teesside and Torness in East Lothian, Scotland. The scheduled closure dates for Heysham 1 and Hartlepool could be extended by five years to 2024, while the closure dates for Heysham 2 and Torness could be extended by seven years to 2030.

The four nuclear plants together supply electricity to around a quarter of the UK’s homes, says EDF, and employ 2,000 permanent staff as well as 1,000 contractors. Totalling nearly 4.8 GW of generating capacity, all four use Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) and started generating electricity in the 1980s.

The announcement follows extensive technical and safety reviews of the plants, which have been shared with the independent nuclear regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

The company says it invests £600mn a year in its nuclear plants and the investment is paying off – in 2015, their output was 61 TWh, the highest level for 10 years and 50% higher than in 2008 when EDF Energy acquired the stations.

EDF adds that, in the face of challenging market conditions, its belief that two important government policies – the Carbon Price Floor and the Capacity Market – will be maintained and strengthened, has given the company the confidence to extend the scheduled closure dates.

In the same announcement of EDF Group results for 2015 the company added that its proposed Hinkley Point C new-build project is ready for a final investment decision and for construction to commence.

 

 

 

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