popular articles

EDF extends the lifespan of four nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom

EDF announces the extension of the lifespan of four nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom, strengthening local energy production while investing massively in its aging nuclear infrastructure.

Please share:

EDF, the French energy company, announced on Wednesday that it will extend the lifespan of four of its nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom, a strategic decision to ensure the island’s energy security. The affected plants are Heysham 1, Heysham 2, Torness, and Hartlepool, all equipped with advanced gas-cooled reactors.

Heysham 2, located in the northwest of England, and Torness, in southern Scotland, will benefit from a two-year extension, enabling them to produce electricity until March 2030. Heysham 1, also in the northwest, and Hartlepool, in the northeast of England, will see their operation extended by one year, until March 2027. EDF had initially planned to shut down these plants in 2023.

Mark Hartley, Managing Director of Nuclear Operations at EDF UK, highlighted that massive investments have been made since the acquisition of the nuclear fleet in 2009. These efforts, valued at approximately £8 billion (€9.7 billion), have allowed the lifespan of the facilities to be extended multiple times while achieving a production level significantly above initial forecasts.

A strategy for energy independence

These decisions come as the UK government seeks to meet ambitious clean energy goals by 2030. The UK’s Energy Minister, Ed Miliband, welcomed the extension, calling it a “major victory for energy independence” in the United Kingdom. According to him, nuclear power remains a cornerstone of the country’s climate and energy objectives.

EDF also announced an additional £1.3 billion (€1.6 billion) investment in its five active nuclear power plants in the UK over the next three years. This funding will focus on modernizing infrastructure and maintaining safety standards.

Future projects and limitations

At the same time, EDF continues to develop new nuclear power plants, including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, which are expected to play a crucial role in the UK’s energy future. However, EDF withdrew last July from a bidding process for developing small modular reactors (SMRs), citing financial and technological challenges.

EDF’s fifth nuclear power plant in the UK, Sizewell B, is not included in the current announcements. However, EDF mentioned the possibility of extending its lifespan to 2055, adding two decades of operation if necessary to meet energy demand.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Ansaldo Energia signs strategic nuclear agreement with Uzbekistan

Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.

enCore Energy receives licence for Texas uranium project and begins construction

Canadian company enCore Energy has received regulatory approval to extend its radioactive materials licence to the Upper Spring Creek project, initiating the construction of new ISR facilities near its Rosita site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.

NexGen Announces Record Uranium Discovery at Patterson Corridor East

NexGen Energy unveils exceptional assay results at the Patterson Corridor East site, with uranium intercepts among the highest concentrations globally, highlighting the growing economic relevance of this strategic area for the nuclear industry.
Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.
Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.
The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.

Washington approves launch of uranium and vanadium mine in Utah

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.

TVA files first construction permit for BWRX-300 SMR in the United States

Tennessee Valley Authority becomes the first US public utility to apply for a permit to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor, with site works anticipated as early as 2026 at Clinch River.
India’s nuclear regulator has approved the siting of the Mahi Banswara project, which includes four 700 MWe PHWR reactors, reinforcing the country’s strategy of fleet-based deployment.
India’s nuclear regulator has approved the siting of the Mahi Banswara project, which includes four 700 MWe PHWR reactors, reinforcing the country’s strategy of fleet-based deployment.
Emmanuel Macron is visiting Vietnam as the country expands its nuclear partnerships, signing today an agreement with the American company Westinghouse, following recent cooperation with Russia, intensifying competition in this strategic market.
Emmanuel Macron is visiting Vietnam as the country expands its nuclear partnerships, signing today an agreement with the American company Westinghouse, following recent cooperation with Russia, intensifying competition in this strategic market.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.

Orano faces interest from buyers for its uranium mines in Niger

Several parties are positioning to acquire French company Orano’s mining sites in Niger, while the firm pursues international arbitration to protect its assets and nearly €250mn in blocked uranium concentrate.
Energy group Enel partners with Ansaldo and Leonardo to form Nuclitalia, a joint venture focused on developing small modular reactor technologies as Italy considers a return to civilian nuclear power.
Energy group Enel partners with Ansaldo and Leonardo to form Nuclitalia, a joint venture focused on developing small modular reactor technologies as Italy considers a return to civilian nuclear power.
US-based Space Nuclear Power Corporation has been selected to design a fission reactor for nuclear electric propulsion in future military and civilian spacecraft.
US-based Space Nuclear Power Corporation has been selected to design a fission reactor for nuclear electric propulsion in future military and civilian spacecraft.
The small modular reactor (SMR) pipeline increased by 42% in Q1 2025, reaching 47 GW, driven by the growing demand from data centres, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie.
The small modular reactor (SMR) pipeline increased by 42% in Q1 2025, reaching 47 GW, driven by the growing demand from data centres, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie.

Advertising