A spokesperson for the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) said: “As the independent nuclear regulator, we are conscious of the nation's energy challenges and government aspirations to achieve net zero.
"To this end, we will always endeavour to regulate in an enabling manner, working constructively with EDF on its lifetime extension ambitions, while ensuring it achieves the required standards of safety and security in the most practical way.
“Although their plant life extension decisions do not need formal regulatory assessment or permissioning by ONR, it is a requirement of the site licence that operations be carried out under a valid safety case.
“Several safety cases at each station are likely to require updating to achieve EDF’s stated ambitions, together with investment in plant to sustain equipment reliability, all while ensuring that the necessary people and skills are available.
“The ongoing safety of operations at any nuclear site must be fully demonstrated to us as part of ongoing regulation which will be informed though our extensive inspection and assessment regime."