EDF has confirmed its Heysham 1 and Hartlepool nuclear power stations will operate for an extra 12 months, to March 2028. It said the decision was taken following a series of positive graphite inspections at both stations over the past nine months.
In December 2024, EDF extended the lifetimes of all four of its generating Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations. At that time Heysham 1 in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside were given a one-year extension on the basis that there were a number of important inspection and safety case milestones due in 2025. It now says 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.
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.