21 Feb (NucNet): Doosan Babcock has signed an agreement with EDF Energy to provide operational support and lifetime extension services at EDF Energy’s seven Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) nuclear power stations in the UK.
The stations are Dungeness B, Hinkley Point B, Hunterston B, Hartlepool, Heysham A Heysham B and Torness, Doosan Babcock said. Between them, they have 14 AGRs, which together have 7,550 megawatts of electric power generation capacity,
Under the agreement, UK-based Doosan Babcock will not only support the operation of the power stations, but will also deliver projects to support the reactors’ operational life extensions.
The agreement will come to an end when the last of the reactors at the seven stations ceases power generation.
AGRs are unique to the UK with all 14 built between the mid-1970s and the late 1980s. They are all owned and operated by EDF Energy.
EDF Energy also owns and operates the pressurised water reactor (PWR) unit Sizewell B and plans to build up to four new EPR PWR units in the UK. A final investment decision for the first of these, Hinkley Point C in Somerset, is expected after the conclusion of European Commission scrutiny of potential state aid for the project.
Last week EDF Energy announced plans to extend the operating life of the two AGRs at Dungeness B nuclear power station by 10 years until 2028.
