SSE is to close a 485MW coal-fired generating unit, one of four at its Fiddler’s Ferry site near Warrington, Cheshire.

The closure will reduce the site capacity from 1995MW to 1510MW. But the site has only 1,455MW of booked Transmission Entry Capacity (i.e. the right to export power onto the transmission system), so the company said the impact on the system is negligible. Its remaining three units all have capacity mechanism contracts and will continue to operate as normal.

SSE noted that the government has committed to phasing out coal power stations by 2025 and said it was “Well known that the economics of coal are challenged.” It will continue to review the long term future for the remainder of the station.