EDF has resumed full generation at the 1.2GW Sizewell B nuclear plant in Suffolk after switching off one its two reactors over the summer under an agreement with National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO).
The company halved output from the site for a period of four months to help the ESO cope with a drop in demand resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
Matt Sykes, managing director for EDF’s generation business, said: “We are pleased to have Sizewell B power station back at full power and playing its important role to help Britain achieve net zero.
“It’s not normally desirable to reduce such a major source of low-carbon power, but these are exceptional times and we were pleased to be able to help ESO deal with the challenges of system stability.”
The contract, which was extended twice – once in June and again in August – was expected to be worth between £55 million and £73 million in total.