RWE npower opens new 2000 MW gas turbine plant in Wales

• 11 years ago (2012-09-22)
• Junior Isles

Europe 1061

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RWE npower, the UK subsidiary of utility RWE, has officially opened its flagship 2000 MW power station at Pembroke, Wales.

RWE’s £1 billion plant is one of Europe’s largest and most efficient combined cycle gas turbine plants and will supply energy to over 3.5 million UK households.

The fifth and final unit of Pembroke has begun operation, marking the end of over three years of construction .

RWE npower’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Volker Beckers, said: “…I am delighted to welcome Pembroke Power Station into our portfolio of operational plants. This addition means RWE npower now has the largest and most efficient gas portfolio as well as the largest fleet of renewable energy technologies in the country.”

RWE has invested heavily in the UK over the past few years, with the £1 billion Pembroke station and the £650 million 1650 MW Staythorpe gas-fired station in Nottinghamshire, which opened last year, the largest outlays. The utility has also made a number of investments in renewable energy projects.

RWE is bringing new capacity on stream following its announcement of its intentions to close two older UK plants. The 2000 MW Didcot A coal-fired power station in Oxfordshire and the 1000 MW oil-fired Fawley plant in Hampshire will now cease operations by the end of March 2013.

RWE has said the closure of these 40 year old plants was prompted by the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive, which is aimed at reducing emissions across Europe.

“The closures, driven by Government policy, reflect the changing shape of power generation in the UK with modern, low carbon-power generation replacing older, less efficient power stations,” Beckers said.