Reacting to EDF’s ambition to extend the lives of the UK’s nuclear power stations, Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:
“EDF’s unprecedented investment in our nuclear fleet has helped preserve it as a bedrock of our energy security. Their ambition to extend the four AGR stations further if possible, should be widely welcomed – as it will cut gas imports, cut carbon and relieve winter pressures on our shaky grid. EDF invests by far the most of any company in British low carbon energy, and their stewardship of our nuclear fleet has helped keep the lights on for much longer than was originally envisaged.
“While lifetime extensions will help in the short term, they won’t address the medium and long-term issues of a fleet getting close to retirement – what we now need is for the Government to get Sizewell C to a Final Investment Decision swiftly, and set out a plan for a new fleet of stations large and small to maintain nuclear’s contribution to our energy security and economic prosperity for the future.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- EDF has invested £7.5 billion in the UK nuclear fleet since acquiring it in 2009 and secured 212 TWh extra output today, saving approximately 74 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and displacing 48 billion cubic metres of gas use.
- The UK’s existing nuclear fleet have produced more clean electricity, over 2000 TWh, and thus saved more carbon emissions for the UK than any other power source.
- The UK’s nuclear power stations also have the highest reliability, as measured by load factor, of any electricity generating source, according to the Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2023.
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The NIA is the trade body of the UK civil nuclear industry, representing more than 270 companies operating across the sector.
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