The UK Government has approved a 20-year lifetime extension for Sizewell B power station, allowing the Suffolk nuclear plant to continue operating until 2055 while securing around 900 skilled jobs and maintaining one of Britain’s largest sources of low-carbon electricity.
The agreement with EDF means Sizewell B power station will remain in service beyond its original 2035 closure date, continuing to supply reliable homegrown energy for around 2.5 million homes.
Ministers say the decision will strengthen the UK’s energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help protect households and businesses from future energy price volatility.
The extension forms part of the government’s wider nuclear strategy, which also includes backing Sizewell C and Britain’s first small modular reactors.
Together, these investments are intended to expand clean electricity generation, support thousands of skilled jobs and reduce the long-term cost of the UK’s energy system.
Speaking on the landmark extension, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Nuclear power is vital for our energy security, and this extension will help produce the clean power our country needs.”
Sizewell B power station to remain operational until 2055
Currently supplying around 3% of the UK’s electricity, Sizewell B power station is the country’s only operational pressurised water reactor.
Extending its operating life until 2055 preserves a significant source of continuous, low-carbon electricity without the need for immediate replacement generation.
The government says the extension will reduce the overall cost of Britain’s electricity system compared with building alternative sources of generation over the same period.
Keeping the station online will also improve energy resilience by providing dependable power regardless of weather conditions while reducing exposure to volatile international fossil fuel markets.
New agreement aims to reduce long-term energy costs
Under the agreement, the government and EDF have agreed terms for a 20-year Contract for Difference (CfD), which will begin in 2035 when the plant’s original operating licence expires.
The contract has been set at £70.50 per megawatt hour in 2025 prices, with investment support from Centrica.
Government estimates suggest that if the same agreement had been in place during the energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UK consumers could have saved around £2bn through lower electricity costs.
Officials say the pricing mechanism will provide long-term certainty for investors while helping shield consumers from future wholesale energy market shocks.
Supporting jobs and the UK’s nuclear industry
The decision safeguards approximately 900 highly skilled jobs at the Suffolk site while helping retain specialist expertise across the wider nuclear sector.
According to the Nuclear Industry Association, nearly 100,000 people work across the UK’s nuclear industry. Extending the life of Sizewell B power station will also support domestic supply chains and preserve the engineering skills needed to deliver future nuclear projects.
The announcement comes alongside continued government support for Sizewell C, which is expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of six million homes and support up to 17,000 jobs during peak construction.
Expanding nuclear generation will play a central role in delivering secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity for decades to come.
