TORNESS Power Station will continue generating power for an extra two years.

The extended lifetime of the nuclear power station, near Dunbar, will secure the future of about 750 people who work at the site.

Previously, it was announced that the power station would stop generating power in March 2028.

However, earlier this morning (Wednesday), operators EDF confirmed that this would now be extended until 2030.

Paul Forrest, station director, said: “Since it started generating, Torness has produced enough electricity to power every home in Scotland for almost 30 years and I am delighted we will be able to keep doing that for longer.

“Today’s decision is testament to EDF’s investment in the site and the employees and suppliers here who have worked hard to make this station so productive.”

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The station, which makes enough zero-carbon electricity for every home in the Central Belt and the Scottish Borders, will keep generating until March 2030, an extension of two years.

The decision was made by EDF following a full technical review, carried out over the past seven months.

As well as supporting employment, extending the generating life will bolster the UK’s energy security and support plans for the rapid expansion of renewables by helping maintain grid stability, the operators said.

It will also help limit the UK’s dependence on gas, with a further 15TWh of output displacing about 3.1bn cubic metres of gas, the equivalent of 20 liquified natural gas (LNG) tankers.

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Since 1988, the station has generated more than 297TWh of electricity, surpassing the lifetime output of Hunterston B, making it Scotland’s most productive low-carbon asset.

The decision will see the lifetimes of all four generating advanced gas cooled reactor stations in the UK extended. 

Heysham 2 in Lancashire has also had its life extended by two years, while Heysham 1 (Lancashire) and Hartlepool (Teesside) will generate for one year longer.

EDF will invest a further £1.3 billion in the generating stations over the next three years (2025-27).

Commenting on the announcement, Douglas Alexander, Lothian East MP, said: “I welcome the confirmation that it is judged safe and appropriate to extend the operating life of Torness Power Station.

"These additional years of operation will allow Torness and its workforce to continue their vital contribution to our energy needs by generating clean electricity for longer.

"This extension of the lifetime of Torness and other stations also creates some extra time for Government and the sector to work on the future development of nuclear power.”

Martin Whitfield, South Scotland MSP, added: “This is good news for Torness Power Station, its workforce and contractors, the local economy, and for Scotland’s energy security.

"The decision will also benefit energy consumers, as Torness continues to be crucial to meeting the demand for clean electricity, with its capability of powering more than two million homes.

"It also underlines the importance of nuclear remaining a reliable part of a balanced energy mix for many years to come.”