By Le Figaro with AFP
Published update
This content is not accessible.
In the midst of a cost of living crisis boosted by energy bills, the British government and the energy company Centrica, parent company of British Gas, on Tuesday welcomed the extension for two years by EDF of two nuclear power plants. “EDF’s decision to extend the life of the Heysham 1 and Hartlepool plants is good news, and comes on top of the investments we are makingto build new nuclear power plants, Energy Minister Grant Shapps said in a statement sent to AFP.
Centrica estimated in a separate statement on Tuesday that the move would add 6 TWh to its electricity volumes between 2024 and 2026, “equivalent to approximately 70% of Centrica’s total nuclear-generated electricity in 2022“. In total, 29 TWh of additional electricity will be generated for the benefit of British energy operators, estimates for its part EDF.
This content is not accessible.
” READ ALSO – The black series continues for EDF, which will have to inspect the entire nuclear fleet
Accelerating the UK’s nuclear development
The company announced Thursday to extend the life of these power plants located in the north of England until 2026, following 40 years of operation. When EDF took responsibility for these plants in 2009, their closure was initially scheduled for 2014, but it has already been postponed for ten years. Graphite reactor cores were inspected in 2022 and “power plants can produce longer while meeting strict regulatory standards“in force, had assured EDF in a press release.
Britain currently has 9 operational nuclear reactors at five sites managed by EDF, but many are nearing the end of their life. Six reactors on three sites have been shut down since 2021, and will be dismantled. The government detailed Friday its plans to accelerate nuclear development, as part of its plan to strengthen its energy security in the wake of the war in Ukraine. While the country is very dependent on gas, “Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrated the vital importance of strengthening our energy security, fueling morethe country using domestic sources, said Grant Shapps.
The United Kingdom intends to build up to eight new reactors by 2050. As part of this, London gave the green light in August to finance the Sizewell C project, and another nuclear power plant, Hinkley Point C, is under construction in the country, two projects led by EDF. The British government also plans to build small, cheaper, modular nuclear reactors, in particular in partnership with the British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce, but these will still require years of development.
