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EDF to extend the operating life of four British nuclear plants

EDF will extend the life of 4 of its British nuclear plants and invest 1.3 billion pounds ($ 1.64 billion) in its British fleet over 20252027, it stated on Wednesday, in a boost for the country's energy security and efforts to fulfill its environment targets. Britain has a target to decarbonise its electricity sector by 2030 and minimize its reliance on fossil fuel gas power plants which currently offer around a 3rd of its power.

Nuclear power stations provide around 14% of Britain's. electrical power but all however among its 5 operating plants were. previously set up to nearby the end of 2028.

We can't accomplish tidy power by 2030 without nuclear, which. offers a necessary consistent supply of homegrown tidy. energy, Britain's Energy secretary Ed Miliband said in the EDF. declaration.

French-state owned utility EDF said it would seek to extend. the life of its Heysham 2 and Torness plants for an extra. two years to March 2030.

The life of its Heysham 1 and Hartlepool plants will be. extended by one year to March 2027.

The 4 websites have actually a combined capability of 4.6 gigawatts. ( GW), and can generate adequate electrical power to power around 7. million homes.

Centrica, which owns a 20% stake in the nuclear plants said. the extensions would assist to bridge the gap while more low. carbon innovations, such as new nuclear plants might be. deployed.

EDF has formerly stated it would consider a 20-year life. extension at its 5th plant, Sizewell B, however no choice is. expected for a while considering that the plant is presently scheduled to. close in 2035.

In total it said 1.3 billion pounds would be invested in the. five plants over the next 3 years. Britain's nuclear regulator, the Office for Nuclear Guideline. said security cases would need to be performed to allow the. life extensions to occur.

Several security cases at each station are most likely to need. upgrading to attain EDF's mentioned ambitions, together with. investment in plant to sustain devices dependability, the ONR. stated in a statement.

EDF is also constructing Hinkley Point C, Britain's first new. nuclear plant in more than 20 years in Somerset, southwest. England, which could see some capacity operating in 2029.

(source: Reuters)