Fire spells burn out for Ironbridge power plant unit

E.ON is closing a unit at its Ironbridge power station after a fire ravaged the turbine hall in February. Thirty firefighters are said to have fought the flames at the […]

E.ON is closing a unit at its Ironbridge power station after a fire ravaged the turbine hall in February.

Thirty firefighters are said to have fought the flames at the Shropshire plant on the banks of the River Severn.

Damage to the 370MW unit was “so extensive” it is not “economically viable” to repair it, the power firm said today.

That’s because the former coal power plant – which now uses wood pellets – already has a limited shelf life under the EU’s Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD), designed to cap carbon emissions.

This rule requires Ironbridge to close after generating for 20,000 hours from 1 January 2008 or by the end of 2015, whichever comes first.

E.ON said the second unit at the coal plant was not affected by the fire and will continue to run within the limits of the EU rule.

Ironbridge’s market availability will be shown “as appropriate”, according to a statement.

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