The industry regulator approved the periodic safety review (PSR) of Sizewell B, meaning it can continue delivering low-carbon power to more than 2 million customers until 2025.
The nuclear power station’s director Jim Crawford said: “It takes five years of planning and 200 people from within and outside the business to scrutinise every area of Sizewell B to ensure it meets current standards of operation.”
This is the second PSR to be carried out at Sizewell B, the UK’s only large pressurised water reactor (PWR). Staff at the plant are already working on the case for the next 10 years to ensure operation to at least 2035.
All UK nuclear power stations are obligated to carry out a PSR every 10 years.
The review looks at ways stations can improve the management of safe operations and draws on experiences of other nuclear plants around the world to see if lessons can be learnt.
Earlier this month, EDF announced its Dungeness B nuclear power plant will continue to supply the UK with electricity until 2028, after pledging £150 million investment to extend the life of the station.