EDF Reveals Future for U.K. Coal-Fired Plants

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) - EDF Energy (London, England) has outlined future plans for its Cottam and West Burton A coal-fired power stations in Nottinghamshire, U.K., as it prepares to comply with the European Union's (E.U.'s) Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

The two plants, which generate a combined 4,000-megawatts (MW) of electricity, comply with the existing European limits on air emissions under the Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD). However, from January 1 2016, the IED comes into effect, requiring all U.K. thermal generation plants to comply with new, stricter emissions limits on SO2, NOx and particulates. For now, EDF has announced that both plants will be run under the Limited Life Derogation (LLD) scheme. This means that the plants can run without further modifications for a further 17,500 hours, or to the end of December 2023, whichever comes first. EDF confirmed that both plants were entered into the scheme before the December 31, 2013 deadline.

The company added that it intends to comply with the new emissions limits through the U.K.'s Transitional National Plan (TNP) for Cottam and for at least one of the two West Burton A plants. It will require the plants to be fitted with emissions reduction technology, but EDF failed to reveal details on the estimated cost or the timetable for the works.

"Existing coal stations in the U.K. will play a key role in ensuring security of supply during the transition to new low carbon generation in the early 2020s," EDF stated. "Coal station operators need to ensure that the transition can be delivered in the most cost effective manner, minimizing impact for customers and environment."

Cottam is a 2,000-megawatt MW), coal-fired power station based on west bank of the River Trent, about eight miles from the market town of Retford. West Burton is also a 2,000-MW, coal-fired power station, located on a 410-acre site in north Nottinghamshire, nine miles northeast of Retford. Both plants run around the clock and contribute between 7-8% of the U.K.'s total electricity.

Last month, SSE plc (Perth, Scotland) decided to close two coal-fired plants under the IED, also choosing the Limited Life Derogation option. The plants are the 2,000-MW Ferrybridge plant in West Yorkshire and the 240-MW Uskmouth plant in Gwent. They will run for a total of 17,500 hours or to the end of December 2023. For additional information, see January 13, 2014, article - SSE to Shut Two U.K. Coal-Fired Plants.

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