Following a fire in the turbine hall at E.ON’s Ironbridge Power Station on 4 February 2014, a detailed review of the damage has now concluded.
The findings show the damage to the 370 MW Unit 1 was so extensive that it is not economically viable to do the repair work required for the limited period of operation remaining under the EU's Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD). As a result, E.ON has taken the decision not to return Unit 1 to service.
Like many other power stations around the country, the LCPD requires Ironbridge to close after generating for 20 000 hours from 1 January 2008 or by the end of 2015, whichever comes first.
Although Unit 1 will no longer run, Unit 2, which was not affected by the fire, will continue to operate within the LCPD limitations.
Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward