EDF Energy is to extend generation from four of its UK nuclear power stations by up to seven years, the company has announced.
Heysham 1 in Lancashire, and Hartlepool, due to be decommissioned in 2019, will continue for an extra five years.
Heysham 2 and Torness in Scotland will have extensions of seven years to 2030.
The French firm is planning to build a new nuclear power station at Hinckley Point.
The four nuclear plants which will generate power for longer, supply electricity to around a quarter of the UK’s homes.
Mr de Rivaz added: “In today’s extremely challenging market conditions, our belief that Government policy will be maintained and strengthened gives us the confidence to invest in our nuclear stations. This gives customers the best value low carbon electricity available.
“It’s a great achievement by thousands of EDF Energy staff and partners in the supply chain who have worked so hard to show that we can deliver on performance, reliability and safety.”
EDF said it was committed to being the UK’s leading investor in low carbon electricity, adding in a statement: “That means safely extending the lives of existing nuclear power stations and investing in renewable wind energy.
“It also means making the big investments necessary to launch a renaissance in nuclear new build at Hinkley Point in Somerset.”
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