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The UK currently has 19 operating reactors at 10 power stations, which provide approximately 20% of the electricity in the UK. Nuclear power plays an important role in helping the UK to meet its climate change targets. In the absence of nuclear generation, emissions of carbon dioxide in 1999 would have been 12-24 million tonnes higher, depending on the mix of generation used to replace it. Looking at it another way, nuclear generation currently reduces national carbon emissions by between 7 and 14%.
The tables below give the nuclear stations currently operating in the UK and those that have ceased operation:
| BNFL Magnox | Capacity (MW) | Published Lifetime |
|---|---|---|
| Oldbury | 434 | 1967 - 2008 |
| Wylfa | 980 | 1971 - 2010 |
| British Energy | Capacity (MW) | Published lifetime |
|---|---|---|
| Heysham 1 | 1,150 | 1989 - 2014 |
| Hinkley Point B | 1,220 | 1976 - 2016 |
| Hunterston B | 1,190 | 1976 - 2016 |
| Dungeness B | 1,110 | 1985 - 2018 |
| Hartlepool | 1,210 | 1989 - 2014 |
| Heysham 2 | 1,250 | 1989 - 2023 |
| Torness | 1,250 | 1988 - 2023 |
| Sizewell B | 1,188 | 1995 - 2035 |
| Closed nuclear power plants | Capacity (MW) | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|
| Windscale | 32 | 1963 - 1981 |
| Berkeley | 276 | 1962 - 1989 |
| Hunterston A | 300 | 1964 - 1989 |
| Winfrith | 92 | 1968 - 1990 |
| Trawsfynydd | 390 | 1965 - 1991 |
| Dounreay | 234 | 1976 - 1994 |
| Hinkley Point A | 470 | 1965 - 2000 |
| Bradwel | 246 | 1962 - 2002 |
| Calder Hall | 200 | 1956 - 2003 |
| Chapelcross | 200 | 1959 - 2004 |
| Sizewell A | 420 | 1966 - 2006 |
| Dungeness A | 450 | 1965 - 2006 |
