EDF, the owner of the Hinkley Point B nuclear power station in Somerset has ruled out prolonging the lifespan of its project.
The government was allegedly warned that nearly six million homes could be faced with potential power cuts due to energy shortages as a result of the geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
In recent months, ELN reported that the government was examining plans to extend the lifetime of some of its coal-fired power stations in a bid to ease the energy crunch.
EDF reportedly sent a memo to staff yesterday, stating it would not postpone the shutdown of the two reactors of Hinkley Point B.
The company’s plan is to close them on 8th July and 1st August.
The life of one of the UK’s six nuclear power stations has already been extended three times, in 1996, 2006 and 2016.
It is estimated that the power station has produced 310TWh since 1976 – enough to power 27 million homes for three years.
An EDF spokesperson said: “As confirmed in November 2020, Hinkley Point B nuclear power station will stop generating and move into the defueling phase by 1 August 2022.
“It has reliably produced zero carbon electricity for over 46 years – more than 15 years longer than envisaged when built – and will complete its generating phase as the most productive nuclear site the UK has ever had.”
Watch again ELN’s tour inside Hinkley Point B nuclear power station.
