Torness employs about 550 people with a further 180 contractors also working on site.
It began generating electricity in 1988 and was originally due to be decommissioned last year.
Construction work on Hartlepool power station started in 1968, taking 15 years to complete. Heysham 1 began generating in 1983 followed by Heysham 2 five years later.
In 2016, a decision was taken to extend Torness’ life until 2030 – but the discovery of cracks in the graphite bricks, which make up the reactor cores of some advanced gas-cooled power stations, led to a review.
As a result, it was announced in 2021 that the closure dates for Torness and Heysham 2 would be brought forward again by two years to 2028.
EDF says it has spent several years studying the progress of cracking and engineers feel they have a better understanding of the issues.
It says regular inspections will be carried out to ensure the sites can continue to operate safely.
East Lothian council leader Norman Hampshire said he welcomed the decision, but warned the eventual decommissioning of the facility meant its power baseload needed to be replaced.
He said: “While it has always been recognised that the power station would have a limited lifespan and decisions on energy policy are made at a national level, Torness will continue to be major employer in the region beyond its scheduled closure date as defueling and then decommissioning commences.
“East Lothian will continue to play a major part in delivering the energy the country needs with the expansion of renewables we have with on and offshore wind around East Lothian.
“However, the baseload that Torness provides needs to be replaced and all options need to be explored including the potential of small modular reactors under consideration by UK government.”
Credit: Source link
