Two UK nuclear plants to generate for longer supporting energy security 

• Heysham 1 and Hartlepool power stations will continue generating until March 2028, an extension of 12 months  
• The decision secures more than 1,000 high-quality local jobs in the Lancashire and Teesside areas for longer  
• Extending lifetimes at these stations also helps support UK energy security and reduces the use of imported gas.  

EDF has confirmed further life extensions for two of its UK nuclear power stations. Heysham 1 in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside will continue generating until March 2028, an extension of 12 months.  

The decision was taken following a series of positive graphite inspections at both stations over the past nine months.  

Dr Mark Hartley, Managing Director of EDF’s Nuclear Operations business, said: “I am pleased we have been able to confirm a further 12 months of operation for Heysham 1 and Hartlepool.  

“Extending the life of these stations makes sense. It secures employment for longer for more than 1,000 people who work at those sites, and it supports the UK’s ambitions to have a clean, secure electricity supply.  

“A further year of operation for these two stations has the potential to power more than four million homes and reduce the need for imported gas.”  

In December 2024, EDF extended the lifetimes of all four of its generating Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations. At that time Heysham 1 and Hartlepool were given a one-year extension on the basis that there were a number of important inspection and safety case milestones due in 2025. Positive progress in these areas has supported the decision to extend the lifetime by an additional 12 months.  

Heysham 2 and Torness, which are both scheduled to generate until March 2030, were not in scope for this review after a two-year extension was granted last year.  

EDF’s ambition is to continue making zero-carbon electricity at its four generating Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so and will keep station lifetimes under review.  

Notes to Editors  

• The decision on the change of generation dates for the two stations was taken following a series of EDF executive and licensee board meetings on 1 September 2025.  
• Decisions on end of generation dates for EDF’s nuclear power stations in the UK are independent of the regulator or government and are taken by EDF’s licensee board following recommendations from EDF Nuclear Generation Limited’s Executive.  
• This latest life extension is now EDF’s most likely view, and the market has been notified accordingly.  
• These dates are forecasts, and the precise dates will be determined by the results of regular graphite inspections and how those results are interpreted within EDF and by the independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation.  
• End of generation dates are kept under review and revised based on the best information available at the time.  
• Heysham 1 and Hartlepool power stations were due to move into defueling in March 2027 based on a review in December 2024.  
• The results of inspections of the graphite cores during 2025 have supported EDF’s decision to extend station lifetimes.  
• Find out more about the stations.  
• Sizewell B is a different type of nuclear power station, and its lifetime was not reviewed as part of this process. There is also a good opportunity to extend the lifetime of the Sizewell B station for a further 20 years, out to 2055. This will require securing a sustainable commercial model before an investment decision is taken.