Centrica and EDF have announced the extension of the life of four of their advanced gas-cooled nuclear ( AGR ) plants in the UK. This decision will allow the Heysham 1 and Hartlepool plants to operate until March 2027, while the Heysham 2 and Torness plants will continue to generate electricity until 2030.
A joint nuclear project between Centrica and EDF
With a total capacity of 4.7 GW, these nuclear plants play an important role in the UK’s energy system, especially in the current environment of increasing renewable energy adoption. The expansion is estimated to add approximately 9 TWh to total electricity production between 2026 and 2030, helping to maintain the stability of the electricity grid.
Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, said that the expansion of these nuclear plants will ensure a reliable energy supply in the country. Despite advances in renewable energy, baseload power generation, such as that offered by nuclear plants, remains essential to avoid interruptions in the electricity supply.
The expansion was made possible by a thorough safety review of the facilities. The decision to extend the life of these nuclear plants aligns with the UK’s goals of achieving carbon neutrality, and will help strengthen energy sources while replacement technologies, such as hydrogen energy , are developed.
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Source and photos: EDF
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