EDF extends lifespans of UK nuclear plants

Two nuclear plants in the UK, owned by French utility Electricite de France EDF, are being allowed to operate for a further five years. The plants at Heysham 1 and Hartlepool will now operate until 2019, five years beyond their scheduled closure dates.

The company claimed that the decision, taken with British Energy, was based on positive results from recent technical, safety and economic studies on the reactors. EDF will invest 59 million euros US $77 million per plant during the coming years to support the extended running times. In addition, EDF is seeking permission to extend the life of the Sizewell B nuclear power plant by 20 years.

Both the Heysham 1 and Hartlepool plants have been hit by technical issues over the past five years and have been running at reduced capacity. In 2007, four reactors at Heysham 1 and Hartlepool were taken out of action after the discovery of wire corrosion on a boiler closure unit during a maintenance inspection. It took 17 months to get them back online.

The lifespan extension decision comes just a month after a reactor at Heysham 1 suffered an unplanned outage. No information has been released on the cause, and there is no indication as to when the reactor will be brought back online. Heysham 1 is one of two plants located at Heysham near Morecombe, on the northwest coast of England.

"The government announcement on market reform is a landmark moment that is vital to the business case for secure and low-carbon energy that is affordable for customers," said Vincent de Rivaz, the chief executive officer of EDF Energy. "Putting these reforms in place is an essential step to make our new nuclear plans possible. In the meantime the UK's existing nuclear plants are essential to its energy security. Life extension is an important way of bridging the generation gap in the UK with low-carbon energy, and we are delighted to be able to extend the lives of these two stations."

Earlier, the UK government revealed plans for the largest overhaul of the country's electricity generation sector in almost 30 years.

In related news, the decommissioned Berkeley nuclear plant in Gloucester became the first commercial nuclear power station in the UK to seal its reactors. Hailed as a "decommissioning milestone," the two Magnox reactor buildings will be placed in a passive state, known as Safestore, and monitored and maintained until the site, near Bristol, is completely cleared in about 65 years' time.

"This is a hugely significant achievement, not just for the site but for the UK nuclear industry as a whole, demonstrating the progress being made in decommissioning," said Sara Johnston, Head of Programme at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. "Reaching Safestore at Berkeley will also provide valuable knowledge and expertise that will assist with taking the remaining Magnox reactors into care and maintenance."