Further generation extension for two UK nuclear power stations
Jonathan Spencer Jones
Posted on: 5 September 2025
The two nuclear power stations Heysham 1 and Hartlepool are expected to continue generating electricity until March 2028 – one year later than previously planned.
The two nuclear power stations, Heysham 1 and Hartlepool, are expected to continue generating electricity until March 2028 – one year later than previously planned.
The two EDF and Centrica power stations were subject to inspections of the graphite cores over the past few months of 2025, which have supported the decision to extend their lifetimes.
On the previous review in December 2024, the two stations were due to move into defueling in March 2027.
There is, however, no change at present to the expected March 2030 closure date of Heysham 2 and Torness after the two-year extension announced in December 2024.
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“I am pleased we have been able to confirm a further 12 months of operation for Heysham 1 and Hartlepool,” said Dr Mark Hartley, Managing Director of the EDF Nuclear Operations business.
“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.”
Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, which has a 20% share in the stations, described the extension as “great news” as the UK needs more reliable, affordable zero carbon electricity.
“We believe in having a diversified energy system, with nuclear power playing a key role in ensuring stability and sustainability for decades to come."
The Heysham 1 and Hartlepool advanced gas-cooled reactor stations came online in 1983 and were originally planned to end generation in 2014 but lifetime extension has been sought on these and the other AGR stations where it is considered safe and commercially viable.
Together, Heysham 1 in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside provide electricity to power more than 4 million homes a year.
For Centrica, the total life extensions announced since December 2024 are projected to add approximately 12TWh to the company’s electricity generation volumes between 2026 and 2030, with 3TWh attributable to the latest Heysham 1 and Hartlepool extensions.
Further reviews of the lifetime extensions will be based on future regular graphite inspections.
