Aberthaw B coal power station to close in 2020

RWE has decided to shut the Aberthaw B coal-fired power station in South Wales due to “challenging” market conditions.

The proposed date for the closure is 31 March 2020. The plant’s capacity market agreement for the next two winters will be transferred to third parties and other units within RWE’s fleet.

“This is a difficult time for everyone at Aberthaw power station,” said Rogen Misen, chief executive of RWE Generation.

“However, market conditions made this decision necessary. I would like to thank all of our staff, past and present, who have contributed to the success of the station for so many years.”

The 1.56GW power station near Cardiff was commissioned in 1971 and currently employs around 170 people. RWE will now begin a consultation with the affected staff and their representatives.

Tom Glover, chief commercial offer for RWE Generation, said: “For nearly 50 years, the plant has played an invaluable role in helping to secure the energy supplies across the UK electricity system and we are very proud of its flexibility and resilience.

“With our flexible gas and biomass power station portfolio, RWE will remain an important player in the UK energy market.”

Earlier this year, EDF announced plans to retire its Cottam coal plant in September, meaning in a year’s time there will be no more than four coal-fired power stations still operating in Great Britain – Drax, West Burton, Fiddler’s Ferry and Ratcliffe.

Drax is also applying for consent to covert its last two coal units into combined-cycle gas turbines.

In June, Great Britain’s power grid was kept supplied without any domestic coal generation for more than 18 days – the longest stretch since the first public coal-fired power station was opened in London in 1882.