EDF to keep Heysham 1 and Hartlepool reactors running until March 2028

EDF Energy will operate the Heysham 1 and Hartlepool nuclear power stations for an additional year, the company said, extending both plants’ lives to March 2028 and securing more than 1,000 jobs.

The decision follows a series of positive graphite inspections carried out over the past nine months and comes as the United Kingdom increasingly turns to nuclear capacity to bolster energy security and reduce reliance on imported gas. EDF, the majority owner and operator of the sites, said the two stations have the potential to supply electricity equivalent to powering more than four million homes during the extra year of operation.

Heysham 1 is located in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside. Both are advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs), part of EDF’s UK AGR fleet. The company said the latest life extensions follow previous one-year extensions granted in December of the prior year for all four of EDF’s AGR sites, which include Heysham 2 and Torness.

Mark Hartley, managing director of EDF’s nuclear operations business, said the extensions are justified on safety and operational grounds and will contribute to the nation’s electricity supply while new nuclear projects progress. "Extending the life of these stations makes sense. 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," Hartley said.

Graphite core condition is a key determinant of AGR longevity because the graphite bricks that make up the reactor core are subject to cracking and other age-related changes that must be assessed before any life extension is approved. EDF said the recent inspections produced results that supported another year of operation for the two plants.

The move comes amid broader developments in the U.K. nuclear sector. In July, the government confirmed progress on the Sizewell C project in Suffolk, which is expected to add new baseload capacity to the grid. EDF’s extensions of existing AGR units are being used in part to bridge supply as new-build projects advance and as the country seeks to reduce dependence on gas-fired generation.

Regulators and industry groups have previously emphasised that life extensions for older reactors require rigorous, ongoing safety assessments. EDF’s decision will be overseen by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, which reviews technical inspections and licences governing continued operation.

The extended operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool is likely to be welcomed by regional stakeholders concerned about jobs and local economic activity tied to the plants. EDF said the extensions will maintain employment at the sites for another year and help stabilise regional supply chains while new generation projects come online.

EDF has previously implemented rolling, short-term extensions for parts of its AGR fleet as it balances the phasing out of older reactors with the construction of new plants. The company has not announced further extensions beyond March 2028 for Heysham 1 and Hartlepool, noting that future decisions will depend on continued inspection outcomes and regulatory approval.

The extensions underscore the role that existing nuclear plants continue to play in the U.K.’s energy mix as policymakers and operators navigate a transition toward low-carbon generation and aim to ensure security of supply through the coming years.