Britain will be left with just one coal-burning power station by the end of next year – bringing the country closer to its goal of ending use of the fossil fuel in electricity generation by 2024.
French energy company EDFplans on Monday to close its coal power plant in Nottinghamshire, which is called West Burton A, by September next year.
This will leave a second Nottinghamshire plant owned by the German energy company Uniper as the only station still burning coal for power in Britain by the end of 2022.
Matt Sykes, EDF’s managing director for the generation business, said in a statement: “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.”
