Operators of a Nottinghamshire coal-fired power station say it will close as planned at the end of the month despite the Government wanting to keep it on standby. The West Burton A Power Station near Retford was originally due to close last year, but an agreement was struck to keep it on standby amid Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
The agreement said the two remaining units at the station would close at the end of March this year. During its extension, EDF was called on just once, switching West Burton on for a few hours on March 7.
The National Grid's Electricity System Operator (ESO) has now confirmed it has been asked to secure further "contingency contracts" as a back-up for next winter. One of these contracts was being sought with West Burton A, but operators EDF have said: "The two remaining units at West Burton A coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire will close as planned on March 31 2023, in line with the agreement signed last year.
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"There are a number of workforce and operational reasons that mean extending the life of West Burton A again is very challenging. For example, retaining suitably qualified and local personnel to ensure safe operation was a major challenge last year and, looking forward, becomes untenable as many of the workforce have stayed on well beyond planned retirement dates already.
"Approximately half the staff are retiring by the second quarter of this year. Notices have already been given for around half of these and they leave early April. This includes a large part of the station leadership team."
ESO said it would not provide a commentary on the negotiations it was holding until it had a deal ready, citing commercial sensitivities. The Department for Energy Security said: "Ultimately, the decision will be a commercial one for the coal generators and ESO will update the market in due course."
The Government also confirmed an agreement with the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station last year, which saw a unit there being kept on standby originally until the end of March. Uniper has now confirmed all four units will remain on standby for the winter of 2023/24.
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