Further life extensions have been confirmed for two of the UK’s nuclear power stations, Heysham 1 and Hartlepool, which confirms greater energy security for Britain.
Heysham 1 and Hartlepool are now expected to generate electricity until March 2028, a further year extension than previously expected.
There are currently no changes to the expected March 2030 closure dates of Heysham 2 and Torness, which were announced in December 2024.
These stations provide homegrown, low-carbon electricity to power more than 4 million homes annually, reducing the need for fossil fuels and supporting the UK’s ambitions for a clean, secure energy supply.
The role of nuclear power stations in diversifying the energy system
“The UK needs more reliable, affordable, zero-carbon electricity, so the extension of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool is great news,” stated Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, a company which has a 20% share in the two nuclear power stations.
“We believe in having a diversified energy system, with nuclear power playing a key role in ensuring stability and sustainability for decades to come.”
Centrica has a longstanding interest in the UK’s existing nuclear power portfolio. The total life extensions announced since December 2024 are projected to add approximately 12 TWh to the company’s electricity generation volumes between 2026 and 2030, with 3 TWh attributable to the extensions announced today.
Following on the success of Sizewell C
This follows Centrica’s recently announced strategic investment in the UK’s nuclear infrastructure, which involves acquiring a 15% equity stake in Sizewell C, a new 3.2 GW nuclear power station under construction in Suffolk, in the South East of the UK, with committed construction funding of £1.3bn.
Under the deal, the UK Government will take an initial 44.9% equity stake in Sizewell C, making it the project’s largest single investor. This means that the British public will directly share in the benefits of this critical infrastructure.
At the height of construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs directly, with thousands more created throughout the wider UK supply chain.
The project also includes 1,500 apprenticeships, providing valuable training opportunities for the next generation of workers.
70% of the construction value is expected to be awarded to British businesses, with Sizewell C Ltd estimating that 3,500 UK companies will be involved across the country. This will deliver a significant boost to local and national economic development.
Once commissioned, the new station will provide zero-carbon baseload power to the UK for at least the next 60 years, supporting the UK’s long-term decarbonisation journey.
The future of investment in low-carbon technologies
O’Shea concluded: “Our longstanding involvement in the UK nuclear industry is an investment in Britain’s energy independence and thousands of high-quality jobs.
“Our recent investments in Sizewell C and the Isle of Grain LNG Terminal further underscore our commitment to securing the UK’s energy future through a range of low-carbon technologies.”
