UK campaign group calls for extended operation of reactors

The group - which campaigns for the time it takes to build economy-boosting infrastructure to be slashed - is calling on the government to back the process of extending the operation of the Heysham 2 and Torness plants, which are both scheduled to shut in 2028.

"Built in the 1980s, these nuclear power stations are home to some of the youngest Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors (AGRs) in the country, making them ideal candidates to safely operate longer than originally planned," Britain Remade says. "Extending the life of the two reactors at Heysham 2 and the two at Torness, along with getting one of Hinkley Point C's power units online by the end of the decade and keeping Sizewell B running, will provide 5.3 GW of clean nuclear power each year."

This, it says, would reduce the amount of gas the UK needs to burn by 5.8 billion cubic metres and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8.8 million tonnes. Households would also benefit from cheaper bills, saving up to GBP95 (USD120) per year.

The group warns that failing to keep even one of the UK's remaining AGR plants in operation would push up the amount of unabated gas burned which, it says, "would breach the National Energy Systems Operator's 'less than 5% unabated gas in a normal year' definition of clean power". 

"The evidence is clear, without keeping four of the nation's Advanced Gas-Cooled nuclear Reactors online it will be almost impossible for the government to deliver a clean energy grid by 2030," said Britain Remade CEO Sam Richards. "No ifs, no buts, they will have failed this major test.
 
"By lifting the mad ban on new onshore wind farms being built in England and approving major solar farms in its first week in office, the government has already sent a clear message about getting as much clean energy as possible connected to the grid. But ministers now urgently need to make clear that they want the life of existing reactors extended where it is safe to do so. We have done it before and we can do it again. If we don't, the result will be more burnt gas and more emissions released into the atmosphere."
 
Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, added: "The AGR nuclear fleet has produced more clean power and cut more carbon than any other energy asset in British history and can help us achieve the 2030 target with lifetime extensions. 
 
"What is also important is that we plan beyond 2030, which includes extending the life of Sizewell B to the 2050s and building out new large-scale GW projects, including decisions on Sizewell C and Wylfa, as well as a fleet of small modular reactors so that we don't repeat the mistakes of the past. Only nuclear gives us clean, base load power and we need to start building now."