RWE reduces operations at Aberthaw coal plant

Energy giant RWE Npower has announced it will reduce operations at its 1.6GW Aberthaw coal-fired power station in Wales from 1 April 2017 because of “challenging market conditions” for coal generation in the UK.

In a statement, the company said: “We are working to secure the future operations of Aberthaw power station.

“We must however recognise that the current market for energy generation remains extremely challenging and demand for coal generation over the coming years is expected to be low compared to recent times.

“Against this backdrop we have to make decisions to future-proof our operations. Today we have announced a change to our operating regime, which will focus on ensuring secure capacity is available when needed but with lower energy generation operations.”

In March last year, the European Commission took the UK to court over the failure of Aberthaw to comply with its emissions rules. The EC said there had been no reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from the plant since it warned the UK in October 2014 that it had two months to bring emissions levels down.

RWE today announced plans for a project which will enable all three of the station’s 500MW units to burn higher volatile coal as well as Welsh low-volatile coal. This, the company said, will yield a 30 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions when burning higher volatile fuels.

Aberthaw power station manager Richard Little said: “When market conditions are very difficult it is testament to the hard work and dedication of our people that we can adapt the station to ensure that it continues to play a key role into the future.”

In her ‘energy reset’ speech in November, energy secretary Amber Rudd pledged to phase out all unabated coal generation from 2025.

This year, following the announcement, two coal-fired plants – Longannet and Ferrybridge – have already closed down, with a third – Eggborough – exiting the main energy market.