The two plants in Somerset and North Ayrshire are expected to remain operational until at least 2023 and will continue to generate enough low carbon electricity for around two millions homes, the energy supplier said.
EDF Energy said it will continue to invest in nuclear and spend an additional £350 million on plant operations, with 90 per cent of the total being spent in the UK.
Commenting on the announcement, Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive at EDF Energy said: “This decision will provide low carbon energy to keep the lights on in the UK and it will safeguard jobs at the plants, in the UK nuclear industry and its supply chain. It follows a thorough review of safety over the lifetime of each of the plants.”
EDF is also expecting to extend the life of its advanced gas reactor stations by an average of seven years and nuclear plant Sizewell B by 20 years.
The announcement was welcomed by Centrica, which has a 20 per cent stake in EDF Energy’s eight nuclear plants.