EDF has confirmed plans to cease generation at West Burton A power station – its last remaining coal plant – in September 2022.
The decision comes after all four of the 500MW coal units at the power station failed to win contracts in the T-1 Capacity Market auction for delivery in 2021/22 held earlier this month.
However, EDF said two of the units will still be available over the next 18 months to fulfil Capacity Market commitments, suggesting they may have secured agreements for next winter through secondary trading. The company said the power station will move into decommissioning by 30 September 2022.
EDF managing director for generation Matt Sykes said: “West Burton A and its loyal workforce have played a critical role providing power to the UK for 55 years, including during this recent winter. Since 1966, the station has produced enough electricity to meet the needs of all UK households for more than four years – a truly incredible achievement.
“With EDF’s power generation strategy firmly focused on nuclear and renewables – and in this key year for UK leadership on climate change – we now believe it is the right time to provide clarity to our employees and all those connected to the site.”
EDF said it was working closely with the GMB, Prospect and Unite unions to prepare, including identifying opportunities for staff at the plant to extend their careers following the closure.
Prospect senior deputy general secretary Sue Ferns said: “As we phase out traditional electricity generation to move to low carbon energy, the priority has to be enabling a just transition for dedicated workers into new jobs. We cannot allow the skills we have built up to go to waste, and we mustn’t abandon those communities where power stations have been big employers.
“Prospect is pleased to be involved in running Just Transition workshops for the West Burton A team over the coming months as we move towards decommissioning in 2022. This should help highly skilled and valued colleagues to continue to contribute to the industry.”
Drax has previously announced plans to largely cease generation from the last two coal units at its namesake power station from this month. As with West Burton A, the company said they would remain available until September 2022 to fulfil Capacity Market commitments.
The closures will leave Uniper’s 2GW Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant as the last remaining coal power station in Great Britain.