Ironbridge Power Station closes after 46 years of service

Power generation at the coal and later biomass-fired Ironbridge Power Station B in Shropshire ceased during the afternoon of 20 November last year, after 46 years of service, says operator E.ON. 

The iconic plant, which had reached its 20,000 hours limit of generation under the Large Combustion Plant Directive, was first synchronised to the grid in 1969. A small team will now begin the decommissioning phase, says E.ON, ensuring that the plant is shut down safely and the site is secure. Once the decommissioning process is complete, a decision will be made regarding the future of the Ironbridge site, which has had a coal-fired unit since 1932 – Ironbridge A was closed in 1980 and demolished in 1982/3.

Construction of Ironbridge Power Station B began in 1962. The plant was originally designed to run on coal and at full capacity was capable of generating up to 1,000 MW from two 500 MW units. It was later converted to biomass and electrical output was reduced to 740 MW. However, only one of the two units has been operational following a fire in 2014 and capacity was further reduced to 370 MW.

Meanwhile, and perhaps illustrating a general shift from coal to gas, Centrica has confirmed a major investment at the gas-fired South Humber Bank power station, possibly securing the future of the 1,285 MW plant up to 2027. The company is to spend £63mn on an overhaul of the gas turbines at the North East Lincolnshire plant that will see new turbine blades installed. The part-mothballed plant will return to full service in 2017, with work expected to start the following year ready for the start of its capacity market contract in October 2018.

The plant’s generating capacity will increase by 14 MW as a result of the turbine upgrade.

Last July, Centrica said it would invest to maintain and improve its gas-fired generation fleet where economics allow. Subsequently, Jorge Pikunic, Managing Director of Centrica’s Distributed Energy and Power business, said: ‘We were pleased to see the government’s announcements last week signalling the important role that power stations like South Humber Bank will continue to play for UK security of supply and look forward to hearing more about their plans to support investment in the sector. The market for gas-fired generation continues to be challenging but, with the right policy landscape, we are confident it can improve.’