Stay of execution at coal-fired power station

ONE of three units at the Fiddler’s Ferry power station in Cheshire due for closure looks to have won a stay of execution.

SSE has successfully secured a contract to provide ancillary services to National Grid. The one-year contract which starts tomorrow, follows a competitive procurement process.

The future of three of the four units at the 1,455MW Fiddler’s Ferry has been the subject of a consultation announced by SSE on February. The fourth unit has a ‘Supplemental Balancing Reserve’ (SBR) contract for the winter of 2016/17.

Two other units will remain “online” as SSE seeks to enter the station’s capacity into market auctions.

Following its success in securing the deal and in view of the UK government’s current consultation on reforms to the Capacity Market, SSE has decided on unit at the station will provide SBR services to National Grid for the winter of 2016/17.

SSE, which currently employs 213 people at Fiddler’s Ferry, said in light of the announcement it will consult further with its employees and their representatives about the future operational requirements of the site.

Martin Pibworth, managing director, Wholesale, for SSE said: “Challenging economic and environmental conditions for coal as the UK cleans its electricity mix mean that the longer term future of the site remains uncertain but we are very pleased to have secured this 12-month contract.

“We will continue our consultation with employees as we complete our review of the operational requirements of the station.”