The German owner of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station has struck a deal with government to keep it running this winter to help the country through the fuel crisis.
The coal fired power station on the border between Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire was due to close this month ahead of being decommissioned at the end of September 2024, in line with government policy to decarbonise power generation.
However, as the country faces an unprecedented energy shortage which some fear could lead to blackouts this winter, power station operator Uniper said it had reached a deal to keep it going until the 2024 closure date.
Uniper – which has just been nationalised by the German government – said it was willing to help the country in what it said was an “unprecedented situation”.
It said: “We can confirm that the unit will now continue to be available until 31 March 2023, for dispatch by National Grid ESO.
“We are also reviewing the potential for operation after this time and are planning to make the unit available until the September 2024 coal phase out date, with the power station still set to close at the end of September 2024.”
Mike Lockett, the chairman of Uniper in the UK, said: “Following a request from the Government to keep our unit earmarked for closure in September 2022 open, I’m pleased that we’ve reached an agreement to help bolster the UK’s supply security with National Grid ESO during this winter.
“I’d like to thank all our employees at Ratcliffe power station for their contribution in ensuring that we can continue to operate the unit.
The 654 acre power station site, close to East Midlands Parkway railway station on the Midland Mainline, is cut in half by the A453 and part of the new East Midlands Freeport.
Until recently it had been in the running as a potential site for the first commercial fusion energy plant in the world, however it was dropped because of what the Government called a land availability issue.
Despite that, when the power station is eventually knocked down, it could have the potential for green energy through wind generation and solar power, battery production and energy storage, advanced manufacturing and logistics, research and development, offices, shops and maybe a data centre.
Draft plans have been finalised by Rushcliffe Borough Council that could give the green light to the new industrial and business use and the potential of thousands of highly-skilled jobs at the site.
If a local development order (LDO) is agreed, the council would be able to grant planning permission for a range of industrial uses on the redeveloped site.
A design guide and masterplan for the site has been prepared to support the redevelopment, which will guide growth and development over the coming years.
