Nuclear power stations extended by 12 months

Hartlepool Power Station is one of two that will continue to power homes for a further year

Two nuclear power stations will continue to generate electricity for 12 months longer than previously scheduled.

Hartlepool Power Station is reaching the end of its operating life, but operator EDF announced last December that it would keep the plant running until 2027.

But a more recent review by the company found both Hartlepool and Heysham 1 power station in Lancashire can keep their turbines turning until 2028.

Hartlepool station director Mark Lees said the decision was a testament to "decades of hard work", while his opposite number at Heysham Mike Davies described it as "fantastic news for the local area and beyond".

Both stations were brought online in 1983 and expected to generate electricity for approximately 25 years.

EDF took over the UK's nuclear fleet in 2009 and managed to extend the site's operating lifetime beyond that initial estimate.

'New nuclear'

Since December, experts have been analysing data from the plant's two reactor cores to assess how comprehensively they have aged.

They used in-depth modelling of expected future behaviours and decided the cores were performing well.

EDF said further reactor inspections will be carried out to determine whether the site can continue running for even longer.

Mr Lees said keeping Hartlepool open until 2028 would retain key nuclear skills in the region.

"In the past few years there has been enormous debate about new North East nuclear, something we want to see for the multitude of benefits construction and operation brings," he said.

"This extension decision retains a regional nuclear skills base a little longer, giving key decision-makers more time to fully firm up development plans for the region."

Local MP Jonathan Brash welcomed the move and added: "This must not be the end of the story. Hartlepool deserves a long-term commitment to nuclear renewal."

In Lancashire, Mr Davies praised the "expertise, dedication and pride" of the Heysham staff.

He added: "The station is currently preparing for a statutory outage on one of its reactors. This is like an MOT for the unit and takes place roughly every three years.

"During this outage we'll be investing approximately £45m into the station."