Heysham power station celebrates record-breaking milestone

The EDF-owned station, which was first connected to the grid in 1988, is now the UK’s most productive nuclear power station.

Over its 37-year lifetime it has generated almost 311TWh of low carbon electricity, enough to power every home in Lancashire for more than 180 years.

By reaching this milestone, Heysham 2 has overtaken Hinkley Point B in Somerset, which previously held the record and stopped generating in 2022 on 310.7TWh.

Heysham 2 is one of seven Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) stations in the UK, the first of which, Hinkley Point B, came online almost 50 years ago.

Since the Heysham sites became operational in the 1980s, they have been a cornerstone of employment in the region, providing stable, long-term careers for local people.

Its continued operation not only provides hundreds of skilled roles every year but also supports the wider economy in the area through apprenticeships, training opportunities, and partnerships with local businesses.

Sean Kyle is an operations support engineer and has worked at Heysham 2 since 1985, and said: “I consider myself very fortunate to have worked at Heysham 2 for all these years. The station has given me a varied and interesting career, and I feel proud to have been part of the journey from commissioning to the present day.”

It is estimated that the station has saved over 108 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, which is equivalent to taking every car off the UK’s roads for almost two years.

Since acquiring the nuclear fleet 15 years ago, EDF has invested more than £8.6 billion and is investing a further £1.2 billion over the next three years (2026-2028) to help sustain current levels of generation, boost energy security, and cut carbon.

Martin Cheetham, Heysham 2 Station director, said: “Reaching this milestone is an incredible achievement for Heysham 2 and a testament to the dedication of our team.

“Knowing that this amount of energy is enough to power every home in Lancashire for more than 180 years really brings home the scale of what we’ve delivered for the region and the country over the years.

“Through construction and generation, the station has been part of the community for more than 45 years, providing thousands of jobs and, along with Heysham 1, contributing more than £28 billion to the UK economy.”

Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge said: “I am so pleased to hear the news that Heysham 2 Power Station has become the most productive low carbon energy source the UK has ever seen.

“As a community we are all proud of our nuclear energy generation, so to reach this milestone is a real validation of all the hard work and commitment shown by workers at Heysham since the 1980s.

“Well done to all those involved in the Heysham 2 Project, for delivering a record-breaking amount of low-carbon energy in a safe, reliable, way.”

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “Heysham 2 is the greatest clean energy asset this country has ever had. For 37 years it has been a cornerstone of clean power generation and energy security, cutting bills and sustaining thousands of good, skilled jobs at the heart of the local community.

"The dedicated staff who have powered homes and businesses in the North West for decades deserve enormous credit.

“The renewed focus on secure, price-predictable energy shows that without nuclear we pay more for electricity and become more reliant on imported fossil fuels. As Heysham 2’s retirement

approaches, that is why new nuclear is essential.”

Commenting on the announcement by Heysham 2 Power Station Green Party County Ccouncillor Gina Dowding said: “No one doubts the professionalism of the management and staff at Heysham nuclear power stations nor the high standards of safety and security there.

“But there have been huge milestones reached by cleaner renewable energy sources since the power stations have been operating. In July 2024, the UK produced 29.2% of electricity by offshore and onshore wind.

“And for the future, there are at least two serious causes of concern. Despite the nuclear energy industry's 50 year history, there is still no agreed safe long-term solution to the highly level radioactive waste produced.

“And secondly nuclear power is incredibly expensive to produce, and the cost of de-fuelling and decommissioning the existing power stations will ultimately pass to UK taxpayers and run on for many decades. The National Audit Office estimates that decommissioning the eight existing nuclear power stations - including the two at Heysham- will cost over £23 billion.

“Nuclear energy has had its day. We should now look forward to investing in far cheaper, less polluting, more effective renewable technologies of the 21st century such as on- and off-shore wind, solar, hydroelectricity and improved battery storage.”

When EDF took over the nuclear fleet in 2009, Heysham 2 was due to stop generating in 2023 after 35 years of operation.

Its current end-of-generation date is March 2030, with an ambition to generate further, subject to plant inspections and regulatory approvals.