Pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade has said hitting the
Government's target for a clean energy grid by 2030 will be
“almost impossible” without extending the life of some of
Britain's nuclear power stations.
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 life of Heysham 2
and Torness.
Built in the 1980s, these nuclear power stations are home to some
of the youngest Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors in the country,
making them ideal candidates to safely operate longer than
originally planned.
Extending the life of the two reactors at Heysham 2 and the two
and 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 5.3GW of clean nuclear power each year.
This would cut the amount of gas Britain needs to burn by 5.8bn
Cubic metres and result in CO2 savings of 8.8 million tonnes -
enough to fill 4,300 Wembley Stadiums. Households would also
benefit from cheaper bills, saving up to £95 per year.
However, failing to keep even one of Britain's remaining power
stations that use Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors online would mean
nuclear capacity dropping to just 2.7GW, pushing up the amount of
unabated gas burned by as much as 11TWh.
Burning that much gas would breach the National Energy Systems
Operator's ‘less than 5% unabated gas in a normal year'
definition of Clean Power.
Across the world the life of nuclear power stations is being
extended, including in France which granted licences to EDF to
continue operating reactors for up to 50 years.
Britain has extended the operational life of its nuclear reactors
before. The fleet of Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors were originally
planned to operate for 30 years, but many have lasted
longer.
Sizewell B was the last nuclear reactor Britain built, originally
expected to last 40 years EDF is now planning for it to stay
operational until 2055.
Torness, Scotland's most productive clean power asset of all
time, will have lasted for 40 years if the planned closure goes
ahead in 2028. Hunterston B, which held that crown until this
month, lasted 46 years.
New polling for Britain Remade found that a majority of people
(54%) think nuclear power should play an important part in the
UK's energy mix, a quarter (25%) said it was not important and
just under a quarter (21%) saying they didn't know.
, CEO of Britain Remade,
said:
“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. 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”
, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry
Association, said:
“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.”
MP, Chair of the APPG on
Nuclear Energy, said:
“Achieving clean power by 2030 will require large amounts of
reliable low carbon power. Alongside renewables, nuclear energy
has a critical role to play, providing low carbon energy 24/7,
whatever the weather.
“After over a decade of failure to open any new nuclear power
stations, it is now critical we extend the life of our existing
fleet for as long as it is safe to do so”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Britain Remade
Britain Remade is a grassroots campaign established to remove the
barriers which are blocking the deployment of new infrastructure
that could deliver economic growth, create jobs and increase
prosperity.
About
is the founder of Britain
Remade. Prior to launching the campaign, he worked in 10 Downing
Street advising on energy, environment, and industrial policy. He
also worked for Nissan.
Polling
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Opinium. Total
sample size was 2048 adults across the UK. Fieldwork was
undertaken between 20th and 22nd November
2024 the survey was carried out online. The figures have been
weighed and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+)
Opinium is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by
their rules.
