In response to the Electricity Capacity Market Notice issued by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) for 4.30pm on 14th October 2024, the Nuclear Industry Association’s Chief Executive, Tom Greatrex said:
“This warning shows we are grappling with the reality of our nuclear power stations retiring without replacements and underscores why we need new investment urgently to build new nuclear power plants alongside lifetime extensions of the current nuclear fleet.
“Without fresh investment and decisions on new nuclear projects at Sizewell C and Wylfa as well as Small Modular Reactors, these warnings will become more commonplace and we will have to continue relying on volatile gas markets to fill the gaps in supply, threatening our energy security and driving up bills and emissions.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- NESO’s capacity warnings are shown here: https://gbcmn.nationalenergyso.com/
- NESO’s projected capacity for 4.30pm on 14th October was 286 MW.
- Hartlepool and Heysham 1 nuclear power stations are scheduled to retire by March 2026, and Heysham 2 and Torness are scheduled to retire by March 2028.
- Hinkley Point C, the only new nuclear power station under construction in the UK, is due to begin generating in 2031.
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