In the UK, there are currently 19 nuclear power plants in operation. Eight of them were to be shut down in the near future. Their service life extension for another 10 years is now being considered. EDF, the power plants operator, is considering the implementation of safety tests in collaboration with the British Office of Nuclear Regulation. The British government supports greater investment in new nuclear power plants and renewable sources. According to EDF, the prolonged the life of existing plants has, however, meaning from the short-term perspective. New capacity is necessary because the old coal-fired power plants are not able to comply with more stringent emission limits.
The first nuclear power plants, which could undergo periodic safety review, are Hinkley B power station in Somerset and Hunterston B in Ayrshire. The Office of Nuclear Regulation will leave a decision on the prolonged operation to EDF; it will only oversee compliance with safety requirements.
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