The UK’s relationship with nuclear energy is a mix of historic sites, coastal locations and evolving plans — from early Magnox stations to newer proposals. Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s nearby waters, these facilities have shaped local economies, land use and the national power mix for decades.
There are 24 Nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom, ranging from Berkeley to Wylfa. For each entry you’ll find Location (town, county),Status,Reactors & capacity (type × count; MW) — basic details and any notes on operation or decommissioning, which you’ll find below.
How current is this list and where does the information come from?
The list is compiled from public sources such as government publications, operator reports and energy databases; dates and statuses can change (especially for planned or decommissioning sites), so treat the page as a snapshot and check official operator or regulator sites for the latest confirmations.
What does “Reactors & capacity (type × count; MW)” mean in practice?
That column shows the reactor technology, the number of units of that type, and the combined capacity in megawatts; for sites with mixed reactor types or partially decommissioned units the entry reflects the configuration and capacity relevant to the stated status.
Nuclear Power Plants in the United Kingdom
| Name | Location (town, county) | Status | Reactors & capacity (type × count; MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sizewell B | Sizewell, Suffolk | Operational | PWR × 1; 1,198 MW |
| Torness | Eyemouth, East Lothian | Operational | AGR × 2; 1,240 MW |
| Heysham 1 | Heysham, Lancashire | Operational | AGR × 2; 1,185 MW |
| Heysham 2 | Heysham, Lancashire | Operational | AGR × 2; 1,260 MW |
| Hartlepool | Hartlepool, County Durham | Operational | AGR × 2; 1,176 MW |
| Hinkley Point C | Bridgwater, Somerset | Under construction | EPR × 2; 3,200 MW |
| Sizewell C | Sizewell, Suffolk | Planned | EPR × 2; 3,200 MW |
| Hinkley Point B | Bridgwater, Somerset | Permanently shut | AGR × 2; 1,200 MW (final) |
| Hunterston B | West Kilbride, North Ayrshire | Permanently shut | AGR × 2; 1,000 MW (final) |
| Dungeness B | Lydd, Kent | Permanently shut | AGR × 2; 1,070 MW (final) |
| Calder Hall | Seascale, Cumbria (Sellafield) | Decommissioned | Magnox × 4; 200 MW (historic) |
| Chapelcross | Annan, Dumfries & Galloway | Decommissioned | Magnox × 4; 180 MW (historic) |
| Sizewell A | Sizewell, Suffolk | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 420 MW (historic) |
| Bradwell | Maldon, Essex | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 300 MW (historic) |
| Berkeley | Berkeley, Gloucestershire | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 320 MW (historic) |
| Oldbury | Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 434 MW (historic) |
| Trawsfynydd | Maentwrog, Gwynedd | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 400 MW (historic) |
| Wylfa | Cemaes, Anglesey | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 490 MW (historic) |
| Hinkley Point A | Bridgwater, Somerset | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 500 MW (historic) |
| Dungeness A | Lydd, Kent | Decommissioned | Magnox × 5; 400 MW (historic) |
| Hunterston A | West Kilbride, North Ayrshire | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 180 MW (historic) |
| Bradwell B (project) | Maldon, Essex | Planned (suspended oversight) | HPR1000 × 2; 2,000 MW (proposed) |
| Oldbury B | Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire | Decommissioned | Magnox × 2; 434 MW (historic) |
| Sellafield (Calder Hall location) | Seascale, Cumbria | Decommissioned (power) / active reprocessing site | Magnox (Calder Hall) × 4; 200 MW (historic) |
Images and Descriptions
Sizewell B
Sizewell B is the UK’s only commercial PWR, supplying low-carbon electricity to the grid since 1995. The single-unit plant is notable for modern reactor design and ongoing life-extension discussions to operate into the 2030s.
Torness
Torness has two AGR reactors and is a key part of Scotland’s low-carbon electricity mix. Commissioned in 1988, it’s notable for high availability and its coastal location just east of Edinburgh.
Heysham 1
Heysham 1 houses two AGR reactors on the northwest coast, operating since the late 1980s. The station provides reliable baseload power and is run by EDF Energy as part of the UK fleet.
Heysham 2
Heysham 2, adjacent to Heysham 1, contains two more AGR units with higher combined output. Commissioned in the early 1990s, it’s notable for incremental design improvements over Heysham 1.
Hartlepool
Hartlepool’s two AGR reactors have supplied power to north-east England since the 1980s. The coastal site is significant for regional employment and long-term fleet management programmes.
Hinkley Point C
Hinkley Point C is the UK’s first new large-scale nuclear build for decades: two EPR units under construction. Notable for its size, French developer EDF lead role and complex UK financing and schedule.
Sizewell C
Sizewell C is a proposed twin EPR project with development consent and strong government interest. It would mirror Hinkley Point C’s design, aimed at adding large-scale low-carbon capacity if financing is secured.
Hinkley Point B
Hinkley Point B operated two AGRs from 1976 until permanent shutdown in 2022. The station played a long role in regional generation; reactors are now defueled with decommissioning underway.
Hunterston B
Hunterston B supplied Scottish electricity for decades and was permanently shut in 2022 after ageing issues. Its closure marked the end of generation while site decommissioning planning continues.
Dungeness B
Dungeness B ceased generation in 2021 after long service. Its twin AGRs provided significant local power; the site remains in post-operation care and long-term decommissioning planning.
Calder Hall
Calder Hall was the world’s first commercial nuclear power station (opened 1956). Its four Magnox reactors generated modest power; final shutdown occurred in 2003 and the site is in decommissioning.
Chapelcross
Chapelcross supplied electricity and military-related plutonium in its early life; its four Magnox reactors closed between the 1980s–2004 and the site is undergoing decommissioning.
Sizewell A
Sizewell A’s two Magnox reactors produced power from 1966 until final shutdown in 2006. The adjacent Sizewell B PWR followed; Sizewell A is now in a long-term decommissioning programme.
Bradwell
Bradwell A supplied electricity from the late 1950s into the 2000s. The two Magnox reactors are shut and the site is decommissioning; the location later attracted a proposed new reactor project.
Berkeley
Berkeley’s twin Magnox reactors operated from the late 1960s and were retired around 1989–1990. The site is in decommissioning and notable as an early commercial UK station.
Oldbury
Oldbury operated two Magnox reactors from the early 1960s until final shutdown in 2012. The site is in defueling and decommissioning phases and was historically notable for early Magnox design.
Trawsfynydd
Trawsfynydd’s twin Magnox reactors served mid-Wales from 1965 until 1991. The inland site is now in decommissioning with an emphasis on safe dismantling and site remediation.
Wylfa
Wylfa supplied power from the early 1970s until final generation ended in 2015. The site later saw proposals for a new unit; current status is decommissioning of the Magnox plant.
Hinkley Point A
Hinkley Point A’s Magnox reactors operated from the 1960s to final shutdown in 2000. The site is notable for hosting adjacent generation stations and now undergoing decommissioning.
Dungeness A
Dungeness A was an early Magnox station with multiple units, closing in the 1990s. The coastal site is in decommissioning and historically notable for its remote shingle location.
Hunterston A
Hunterston A operated two Magnox reactors from the 1960s until shutdown in the 1990s. The site is decommissioned and remembered as part of Scotland’s early nuclear generation.
Bradwell B (project)
Bradwell B was a proposed twin HPR1000 project with early-stage China-UK backing; national security and funding issues have since left the project status uncertain despite initial approvals.
Oldbury B
Oldbury B refers to the twin Magnox units at Oldbury site (now decommissioned). Final generation ended in 2012 and the plant is in long-term decommissioning and site care.
Sellafield (Calder Hall location)
Sellafield hosted Calder Hall reactors—the UK’s first commercial plant—and now focuses on reprocessing and decommissioning. Calder Hall shut in 2003; the broader site remains a major nuclear legacy location.
