NUCLEAR PLANTS POWER ON
Energy giant EDF has announced that the lifespan of two nuclear power stations in Lancashire will be extended in a move to boost the UK’s clean power targets.
The French company made the announcement regarding its Heysham One and Heysham Two operations following what it described as a detailed review process.
It says the decision will help boost the country’s energy security and reduce dependence on imported gas, whilst also securing jobs and skills in the sector.
Heysham One, which began generating in 1983, will now produce power until March 2027, a one-year extension. Heysham Two, which opened in 1988, has been given a two- year extension until March 2030.
The Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor stations had previously been expected to close in 2026 and 2028. More than 1,000 people work at the Heysham site.
The Lancashire stations are among four EDF nuclear operations in the UK given an extension, which the company says means
Frankly Speaking LANCASHIRE MAYOR IS
‘WHEN’ NOT ‘IF’ NOW By Frank McKenna
Downtown Lancashire in Business
Following the publication of the government’s White Paper on Local Government Reform in December, it seems that it is ‘when’ not ‘if’ Lancashire and other shire areas will have a mayor.
The Deputy Prime Minister in outlining her ambitions for a more dynamic delivery vehicle for her administration’s growth plans, has clearly indicated that she sees devolved powers to Combined Authorities, led by elected mayors, as the way forward.
Some districts in Lancashire will cry foul – but they have been on notice for almost a decade that change was coming, and despite many of them being not fit for purpose for the 21st century, they have buried their heads in the sand, hoping that they could avoid overdue reform.
Meanwhile, neighbours in Manchester, Liverpool, and across the Pennines, have been awarded millions of pounds more than Lancashire, in regeneration, infrastructure, and economic development investment, as a Conservative government recognised the advantages of much bigger, strategic organisations – led by high profile mayoral champions such as Andy Burnham, were best placed to spend that money more effectively.
That Labour agrees with the Tories on this issue is unsurprising, and again due notice was given by Keir Starmer and co in their election manifesto, where a clear commitment to a roll out of devolution and the mayoral governance model was given.
For those who believe a parochial response and a further digging in of heels will see off this latest attempt to offer Lancashire a modernised governance structure, I would caution them that Angela Rayner is not a politician to be messed with.
She is clear – she would like local authorities to come forward with their proposals – but if they are in total opposition to her plans, she will impose a new structure. And that will include a mayor.
For now, the ball is in the county’s court. Local authorities can - hopefully in consultation with business – provide the government with a pragmatic route map, transitioning from the current quagmire of two unitary councils, 12 districts, and a county council, to a more streamlined, and better resourced mayoral-led combined authority – with three or four unitaries.
Or, they can go into battle with Angela Rayner, which will cost the county time, money – and ultimately defeat.
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
they will continue to support more than 3,000 jobs. It plans to invest a further £1.3bn in them over the next three years.
Mark Hartley, managing director of EDF’s Nuclear Operations business, said: “The decision is testament to EDF’s ongoing investment in the UK’s nuclear fleet and the hard work of the employees and suppliers supporting these sites.
“When EDF acquired these stations in 2009 they were all due to end generation by early 2023 which would have left the UK with just one generating nuclear station at Sizewell B.
“Careful stewardship and around £8bn of investment since 2009 has seen several life extensions for these stations and much higher output than was predicted.”
The government’s energy and net zero secretary Ed Miliband has welcomed the move. He said: “EDF’s decision to keep four nuclear plants online is a strong endorsement of our clean power mission.
“These extensions are a major win for our energy independence.”
Miranda Barker OBE Chief executive
@elancschamber
MAKE 2025 THE YEAR FOR STABILITY
AND DIALOGUE 2025... stability, stability, stability? Last year was not a pleasant one for business.
After months of pre-election paralysis, there was the vicious side swipe of the Budget, with government penalising employment with a triple whammy that seemed one straw too many for business’ backs to bear.
Business has performed positively in Lancashire for the last few years – and that’s been despite government, not with the support of it. But the close of 2024 proved too much, with those optimistic firms battered to the point of infuriation.
Concerns were raised that the only way to handle the extra pressure heaped on, especially through the change in the NI floor level, was redundancies. Only time will tell.
Our role now is twofold – to ensure government properly understands the impact it has on the only true cash generators in the economy with such taxations, and designing the new Lancashire Combined Authority in such a way that it really does support our local economy to the best of its ability.
On the eve of Lancashire Day last November the Statutory Instrument enabling the Lancashire Combined Authority was laid before parliament and the new business board is now running at full speed, Lancashire is the host – at last – for the Convention of the North in February.
Time for some serious showcasing of our best and brightest and the challenge to finally punch our weight in the North.
Does salvation lie with a new devolved, more self-governing role? It’s our job to try and make sure that’s our new reality.
If you want to be involved, or have
a climate technology you’re looking to commercialise contact RedCAT at
info@red-cat.uk
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