EDF Wins 20-Year Sizewell B Life Extension, Nine UK Nuclear Sites Now Locked In Until 2055
The UK government and EDF have finalised a 20-year life extension for the Sizewell B pressurised water reactor, keeping Britain's newest large nuclear plant running until 2055 under a £70.50/MWh contract for difference.
Key Takeaways
EDF and the UK government agreed a 20-year life extension for Sizewell B, keeping the 1,198 MW pressurised water reactor running until 2055 instead of retiring in 2035.
From 2035, EDF will receive £70.50/MWh (2025 prices) under a contract for difference for all Sizewell B output, which supplies about 3% of UK electricity (~2.5 million homes).
EDF will fund £800 million of refurbishment over 15 years — new monitoring systems, pipework, valves and pumps — with investment backed by Centrica, which owns 20% of EDF's UK reactors.
The deal preserves around 900 specialised nuclear jobs at the Suffolk site and was announced July 9, hailed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as a vote of confidence in the nuclear workforce.
With Sizewell B secured, all nine commercial UK reactors now have confirmed lifetime plans, alongside government plans for 14 BWRX-300 SMRs and Hinkley Point C's twin EPRs.
Kaan Tınmaz
The UK's newest large nuclear station is set to keep running for another two decades. EDF and the UK government confirmed the Sizewell B pressurised water reactor in Suffolk will operate until 2055 — 20 years past its original 2035 retirement — under a deal announced on July 9 that Chancellor Rachel Reeves called "a real vote of confidence" in Britain's nuclear workforce.
£70.50/MWh Contract, 3% Of UK Power
Under the agreement, EDF will receive £70.50 per megawatt-hour (€82.7, $94.6) for every unit Sizewell B generates from 2035 onward, in 2025 prices. The 1,198 MW plant currently supplies about 3% of Britain's electricity — enough to power roughly 2.5 million homes — and has produced more than 270 TWh since starting commercial operation in 1995.
Centrica Bankrolls £800M Refurbishment
The extra investment needed to keep the plant safe past 2035 will come from Centrica, which owns 20% of EDF's UK reactors. EDF will fund £800 million of refurbishment work over the next 15 years, including new environmental and plant monitoring systems and replacement pipework, valves and pumps. The extension is expected to preserve around 900 specialised nuclear roles at the Suffolk site.
All Nine UK Reactors Now Extended
Sizewell B was the last of the UK's operational reactors without an updated lifetime plan. Following EDF's 2024 extensions of Hartlepool, Heysham and Torness, all nine commercial UK reactors are now confirmed for continued operation while the government pushes ahead with 14 BWRX-300 SMRs and Hinkley Point C's twin EPR build. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the deal underpins a promised "golden age of nuclear" to power EVs, low-carbon heating and AI data centres.
Reporting based on NucNet, World Nuclear News and EDF UK statements.
Until 2055 — 20 years beyond its original 2035 retirement date, under a deal between EDF and the UK government announced on July 9.
What price will EDF receive for Sizewell B's electricity?
£70.50 per megawatt-hour (about €82.7 or $94.6) in 2025 prices for all generation from 2035 onward, under a contract for difference.
Who is paying for the refurbishment and how much will it cost?
EDF will fund £800 million of refurbishment work over the next 15 years, with investment backed by Centrica, which owns 20% of EDF's UK reactors. Work includes new environmental and plant monitoring systems plus replacement pipework, valves and pumps.
How much power does Sizewell B provide?
The 1,198 MW plant supplies about 3% of Britain's electricity — enough for roughly 2.5 million homes — and has generated more than 270 TWh since commercial operation began in 1995.
