French energy giant EDF is petitioning the UK government to allow it continue operating the Sizewell B nuclear power plant for 20 years beyond its planned 2035 closure date.
The proposal would see the government agree to an extension of the subsidy contract in order to unlock an additional £800m in investment. Efforts are under way to decarbonise the UK’s energy grid by 2030, and nuclear is expected to play a key part as one of the most consistent forms of low-carbon base load generation.
But a new cohort of nuclear power stations using modern technology are not expected to come online until 2029 at the earliest in the case of Hinkley Point C, or in the latter half of the 2030s for Sizewell C.
EDF said that a 20-year life extension for Sizewell B is both “technically feasible” and would provide a reliable source of power to 2055 “and beyond”. However, it needs to complete negotiations with the UK government to agree a long-term price for the power that will enable the required investment...