EDF Energy plans to extend the operating life of its two reactor units at the Dungeness B nuclear power station in Kent, England, by 10 years until 2028, the company has said.
In its annual report for 2013, the company says the final decision depends on obtaining necessary authorisations.
Based on EDF Energy’s expected life extensions for its nuclear stations in the UK, all 14 operational advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) units at seven nuclear stations and the single Sizewell B pressurised water reactor, will be operational in 2023 when Hinkley Point C in Somerset is due to be commissioned, if the final investment decision is taken in 2014.
In 2013, EDF Energy and the UK government reached agreement on the principal commercial terms for an investment contract for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C. This is subject to state aid approval by the European Commission, which launched an investigation in December.
EDF Energy, the operator of all nuclear stations in the UK, also said it has achieved the best nuclear output in the past eight years – 60.5 terawatt-hours (TWh), 0.5 TWh more than in 2012.
This increase reflects improvements made to the AGR fleet of reactors which have been the focus of EDF Energy’s maintenance investments over the past five years.
Dungeness B-1 began commercial operation in 1985 and Dungeness B-2 in 1989.