Hinkley Point B owner says it will not extend life of nuclear plant

EDF Energy tells staff reactors will be shut down in summer despite concerns of blackouts later this year

The owner of one of the UK's six nuclear power plants has said it will not extend its life beyond a planned shutdown in summer, despite officials raising concerns over the danger of blackouts in the months that follow.

The French-owned EDF Energy sent a memo to staff on Monday in which it said it would not postpone the closure of the two reactors at Hinkley Point B in Somerset, which are scheduled to be shut down on 8 July and 1 August.