EDF Energy has deferred closure of two ageing coal-fired units at West Burton A power station by six months, in response to a government request to keep the units available over the coming winter.
The two 500MW units at West Burton A, which started up in 1966, were due to close at the end of September but they will now provide an “emergency service” to NGESO until 31 March 2023. The agreement with NGESO, Ofgem and other stakeholders is to provide 400MW of availability from one unit, as and when needed by the system. A second unit will be available as back-up.
EDF says West Burton A will not be operating on a commercial basis, but as a standby arrangement to support energy security. As of September this year, the station no longer has any Capacity Market contracts to fulfil and it will move into its full decommissioning phase in April 2023.
Around 200 EDF staff and contract partners will be required to provide this service.