United Kingdom: EDF extends the reactor's lifespan.

The British nuclear fleet, operated by the French giant EDF, has shown 'very good' results during 2025, covering 12% of the United Kingdom's total electricity consumption. EDF also announces extending the operational life for several reactors

And during the past year the Sizewell B nuclear reactor also achieved an incredible capacity factor of 99%.

And despite some reactors already entering the shutdown phase, EDF announces a new round of investments of 1.2 billion pounds (about 1.6 billion dollars) in the period 2026–2028 to maximize the operating life of the operating plants. Thus EDF plans to keep the last two AGR reactors online at least until 2030, while seeking a license extension for Sizewell B to 2055. The aim is to preserve grid stability during the critical period of the energy transition.

And the British government has warned that the premature withdrawal of Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors – AGR: gas-cooled and graphite-moderated reactors – could leave a 'dangerous gap' in the supply of low-carbon energy. EDF's strategy includes:

• Extending operation for the AGR fleet (Hartlepool and Heysham 1): their operating life has currently been extended to March 2028, with the aim to stay on the grid until 2030, depending on circumstances.
• Sizewell B (pressurized water reactor): EDF believes it is technically feasible for it to operate at least until 2055, which would provide a stable base until Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C are fully operational.
• Hunterston B and Hinkley Point B have successfully completed the fuel unloading process and will be transferred to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority during 2026.

Since taking over the fleet in 2009, EDF has invested over 8.6 billion pounds. These efforts have allowed four power stations to stay on the grid significantly longer than initially planned, producing an additional 263 terawatt-hours of electricity.