United Kingdom · 54.029, -2.915Heysham
Heysham, nuclear power plant in United Kingdom, operates 4 gas-cooled reactors with 2,300 MW net installed capacity and has been in service since 1989.
GCR technology exists in only 2 countries worldwide. It is the highest-capacity nuclear plant in United Kingdom. Unit Heysham B2 has been operating for 37 years, since 1989.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Units
- 4
- Technology
- GCR
- Net capacity
- 2,300 MWe
- First grid connection
- 1989
- Operator
- EDF Energy
- Owner
- EDF Energy Ltd
- Status
- Operating
See also: alerts for this plant · every plant in United Kingdom · Vendor: British nuclear consortia (NPC, APC, EE/B&W/T, GEC, NNC) · every GCR reactor · how a GCR works
Units
| Unit | Type | Model | Status | MWe | MWt | Construction start | Grid connection | Closure | Load factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heysham A1 | Gas-cooled (GCR / AGR) | AGR | Operating | 485 | 1,500 | Dec 1, 1970 | Jul 9, 1983 | 2030 (planned) | 68.8 % (2024) |
| Heysham A2 | Gas-cooled (GCR / AGR) | AGR | Operating | 575 | 1,500 | Dec 1, 1970 | Oct 11, 1984 | 2030 (planned) | 56.2 % (2024) |
| Heysham B1 | Gas-cooled (GCR / AGR) | AGR | Operating | 620 | 1,550 | Aug 1, 1980 | Jul 12, 1988 | 2030 (planned) | 78.0 % (2024) |
| Heysham B2 | Gas-cooled (GCR / AGR) | AGR | Operating | 620 | 1,550 | Aug 1, 1980 | Nov 11, 1988 | 2030 (planned) | 79.1 % (2024) |
Data: IAEA PRIS · Wikipedia · updated on Sep 17, 2026
Heysham A1, a 485 MWe GCR (AGR), started construction in 1970, was connected to the grid in 1983 and is still operating, with a 68.8% load factor in 2024.
Heysham A2, a 575 MWe GCR (AGR), started construction in 1970, was connected to the grid in 1984 and is still operating, with a 56.2% load factor in 2024.
Heysham B1, a 620 MWe GCR (AGR), started construction in 1980, was connected to the grid in 1988 and is still operating, with a 78% load factor in 2024.
Heysham B2, a 620 MWe GCR (AGR), started construction in 1980, was connected to the grid in 1988 and is still operating, with a 79.1% load factor in 2024.
Operator: EDF Energy.
Owner: EDF Energy Ltd (Heysham A1, Heysham A2, Heysham B1, Heysham B2).