OREANDA-NEWS. Energy company SSE has today (Tuesday 20th October) announced the re-opening of its 735MW gas-fired power station at Keadby in North Lincolnshire, from Monday 9th November. This follows announcements earlier this year of its intent for the plant to return to service.

SSE has spent five months bringing the plant back into operation following its ‘deep mothballing’ in March 2013 due to adverse market conditions.

Keadby was entered into the first Capacity Market Auction last December, and was successful in taking on a capacity obligation for 2018/19. The station’s return to service will provide an important contribution to maintaining security of supply this winter.

The news demonstrates SSE’s ongoing commitment to the region, following the ?98m opening earlier this year of the adjacent Keadby Wind Farm.

The site now employs around 53 people and SSE has transferred 21 jobs across from its Ferrybridge coal-fired power station which is closing in March 2016, as it continues to move from a coal and gas weighted portfolio towards one comprised largely of gas and renewables.

Paul Smith, SSE Managing Director Generation, said: “Today’s news means Government and the National Grid have more capacity with which to power people’s homes this winter. The station has undergone extensive upgrades meaning it can operate with improved flexibility in the market.

“SSE maintains a flexible and diverse fleet of generation assets which we see as the best way of playing our part when it comes to keeping the lights on. It is also great news that we’ve been able to bring across some 21 employees from Ferrybridge; as we respond to changing market conditions and the challenge of reducing carbon emissions.

“Earlier in the year we opened a ?98m windfarm at Keadby which shows the depth of our commitment to investment in the UK energy industry and SSE’s determination to provide the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way.”

In order to bring Keadby back into service, SSE has successfully applied to National Grid for Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC). The station will begin its return to service from 9th November, with full commercial availability expected by mid-December.
 
Today’s announcement reflects the wider ‘coal to gas switch’ currently happening in the electricity market in response to changing policies and market conditions, enabling Keadby to help meet our national energy needs this winter and beyond.

SSE’s neighbouring windfarm at Keadby has 34 turbines generating up to 68MW of electricity. Since construction began in 2011 it has contributed ?43.3m to the UK economy.