The latest coal-free run has come to an end after more than 67 days – the longest stretch without any domestic coal generation in Great Britain since the world’s first coal-fired power station opened in London in 1882.
The record began on 10 April and ended after 67 days, 22 hours and 55 minutes when Drax switched on one of the two remaining coal units at its power station in Yorkshire at around 9.30pm yesterday evening (16 June).
Drax said the unit was started up to conduct testing following the completion of maintenance work: “Essential maintenance has been carried out on one of our coal generating units as is usual during the spring and summer months when demand is lower, and the coal units are not required to run.
“Following the completion of this work we need to make sure the unit is performing well, ready for the winter when demand for power increases and the coal units are expected to run. As a result, tests are being carried out now which require the unit to generate power.”
The unit was initially switched on for only an hour and half – with its output peaking at just 34MW – although Drax resumed testing at around 7.30am this morning. By 1.30pm its output had been ramped up to 300MW where it remained at the time of writing.
The company noted its previously announced intention to cease coal generation at the power station from March 2021, albeit with the units remaining available until September 2022 in order to fulfil their Capacity Market agreements.