GOING BEYOND 40 | PLANT LIFE EXTENSION Life beyond 40


As operators aim to extend reactor lifetimes to 60 and potentially 80 years, NEi takes a look some of the plans, approaches and technological advances that can support plant life extension


EXTENDING THE LIFE OF the global nuclear fleet is technically proven and increasingly seen as a cost-effective pathway to meeting net-zero targets. Of the 416 reactors (376.2 GWe) in operation today, half have already reached 38 years of service, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) data. Among the oldest reactors are Switzerland’s Beznau 1&2 – 380 MWe Westinghouse pressurised water reactors (PWRs) – that started up in 1969 and 1971. After investing some CHF2.5bn ($3.2bn) in retrofitting and modernisation work over their lifetimes, operator Axpo intends to spend a further CHF350m ($400m) so that with regulatory approval Beznau 2 can remain on grid until 2032 and Beznau 1 until 2033. Many reactors are in a similar position around the globe. Originally designed for 30-40-years of operation, reactors can now be licensed for 60-80 years – and potentially beyond – with upgrades to systems, structures and components (SSCs).


Benefits of plant life extension Given the lengthy timelines for nuclear new-build, existing reactors are expected to retain an important role in future low-carbon electricity generation. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that life extensions will account for 150 GWe or a fifth of global nuclear capacity in 2040 under its Announced Pledges Scenario. In 2024, the global nuclear fleet generated a record 2,667 TWh of electricity, surpassing the previous high of 2,660 TWh set in 2006, according to the World Nuclear Association’s 2025 World Nuclear Performance Report, released in September. There was no overall age-related decline in capacity factor, giving “a positive indication for the potential of reactors continue to function well when entering periods of extended operation”. Life extension also has huge economic benefits. The


UK’s eight nuclear power stations contributed some £123bn ($166bn) to the UK economy since 1976, according to a study


by Economic Insight. EDF Energy recently announced plans to extend the life of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool power stations until March 2028, an extension of 12 months, securing jobs for 1,000 workers. Meanwhile, Bruce Power’s C$13bn ($9bn) Major Component Replacement project in Canada – focused on replacing the key parts such as the steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeder tubes at Bruce 3-8 between 2020 and 2033 – is expected to support around 22,000 jobs and generate C$4bn ($2.9bn) in economic benefit for Ontario every year until 2064. In South Africa, life extension of the two-unit Koeberg


nuclear plant was driven by “the need to preserve reliable, low cost, low-carbon baseload capacity while South Africa scales up new generation”, Eskom told NEi. Koeberg 1 started operating in 1984, followed by Koeberg 2 in 1985. The plant has a generating capacity of roughly 1860 MWe (about 5% of national supply) and extending its life is “faster and far less capital intensive than building a new power station,” the utility added.


Reactor life extension plans Many countries have ambitious reactor life extension goals. In the US, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has


granted renewals to the original 40-year licences for 87 of the 94 currently operating reactors. The vast majority (95%) of US reactors surveyed by the US Nuclear Energy Institute also anticipate receiving approval to operate for at least 80 years, while 73% are also considering power uprates. In Canada, Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Power


have ongoing refurbishment programmes to extend the lives of CANDU reactors at Bruce, Darlington and Pickering by 30-35 years. Meanwhile, in France, EDF intends to spend €6bn ($7bn) on 20 of its 1300 MWe reactors so they can operate beyond 40 years, with safety reviews due to take place between 2027 and 2035. Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland,


Below: The Beznau nuclear power plant in Dottingen, Switzerland is planning to operate until 2033 Credit: ToM- 5400 / Shutterstock.


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