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Pembroke Power Station

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Coordinates: 51°40′59″N 4°59′18″W / 51.68311°N 4.98842°W / 51.68311; -4.98842
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Pembroke Power Station
Pembroke Power Station
Map
CountryWales, United Kingdom
LocationPembroke, Pembrokeshire
Coordinates51°40′59″N 4°59′18″W / 51.68311°N 4.98842°W / 51.68311; -4.98842
StatusOperational
Construction began2008
Commission date2012
Construction cost£800 million
OperatorRWE
Thermal power station
Primary fuelNatural gas
Combined cycle?Yes
Power generation
Units operational5 x 400 MWe
Make and modelAlstom
Nameplate capacity2,000 MW
External links
CommonsRelated media on Commons
[edit on Wikidata]

Pembroke Power Station is a 2,200 MWe natural gas-fired power station near Pembroke in Wales. The power station was officially opened in September 2012[1] and is the largest gas-fired power station in Europe.[2] It is also the largest power station to be built in the UK since Drax power station came online in 1986. Pembroke Power Station currently generates enough power to supply 3.5 million homes and businesses.[2] It is operated by RWE.

It is a CCGT-type power station that uses natural gas. There are five 400 MW modules, each with a 288 MWe Alstom gas turbine, heat recovery steam generator and steam turbine.

Oil-fired predecessor

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From 1968 until 2000, a CEGB 2,000 MW oil-fired Hinton Heavies power station existed on the site of the current power station.[2] The station had four 500 MW turbo-alternators.[3] The boilers delivered 1,788 kg/s of steam to the turbines at 158.6 bar and 538 °C. Sea water was used for station cooling. There were 3 × 25 MW auxiliary gas turbine electricity generators on the Pembroke site, these were first commissioned in November 1969.[3][4]

Capacity and output

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The generating capacity, electricity output, load factor and thermal efficiency were as shown in the table.[5]

Year Net capability, MW Electricity supplied, GWh Load as percent of capability, % Thermal efficiency, %
1972 1360 1767.782 36.1 34.35
1979 2000 9538.811 57.3 34.77
1981 2000 4467.597 26.8 34.07
1982 2000 3632.022 21.8 36.43
1984 1900 1984.997 11.9 35.34
1985 1900 11,249.903 67.6 38.42
1986 1900 1203.964 7.2 33.84
1987 1900 1443.907 8.7 35.01

The electricity supply data, in GWh, is shown graphically.

The high output in 1984/5 was associated with the 1984/5 Miners' Strike, and the shortage of coal for coal-fired power stations.

The performance data for the gas turbine generators is summarised in the following table.[5]

Year Net capability, MW Electricity supplied, GWh Load as percent of capability, % Thermal efficiency, %
1972 50 26.317 6.0 22.24
1979 100 9.643 1.1 19.60
1981 100 0.127 – –
1982 100 1.073 0.1 10.07
1984 100 0.0 – –
1985 100 29.9 3.4 22.38
1986 100 2.083 0.2 15.70
1987 100 2.577 0.3 17.52

The plant was mothballed by National Power in 1996[6] when the company proposed to use the controversial fuel Orimulsion. The company changed its mind in the face of fierce opposition and the plant closed in 1997[6] with the loss of 300 jobs.

National Power put the site up for sale in July 2000. Demolition of the old power station began in 2000[6] and was completed by 2003.[2] National Power first proposed a CCGT power plant on the site in 1997. This plan lasted until it chose to build Staythorpe instead.[7]

A former member of staff, and his spouse through washing asbestos laden overalls, later died in 2012 and 2022 from mesothelioma as a result of negligence at the plant between 1969 and 1982. Their family received compensation through legal action.[8]

CCGT power plant

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Pembroke Power Station under construction in January 2011

In 2005, RWE (formerly National Power) revived plans to build a CCGT power station at Pembroke when proposals for LNG terminals at Milford Haven brought high pressure natural gas infrastructure to the area.[9] A public exhibition was held in Pembroke Town Hall in February 2005, outlining the proposal to build the £800 million power station in support of the company's planning application.[10] The contractor was Alstom. The ATEX inspection was conducted by the French notified body LCIE. Construction began in 2008 and was completed by mid-2012. The power station employs around 100 people.[11]

During the construction of the power station a contractual dispute broke out between the main contractor Alstom Power and one of its mechanical subcontractors, Somi. The dispute eventually led to Somi leaving the project leaving dozens of local subcontractors and suppliers unpaid. The local newspaper gave detailed coverage of the matter and the local MP attempted to raise awareness of the issue by mentioning it in Parliament but with little success.

Alstom took on most (if not all) of the local subcontractors and paid all wages due and has since won its case against Somi in a high court judgement.

Environmental concerns

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In December 2012, the European Commission sent a notice of infringement to the British government. The notice lists 18 separate violations of four EU laws regarding the plant's cooling system. The EU commission has requested that the British government prove the new power station's cooling system does not adversely affect marine wildlife in the Milford Haven waterway.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "£1bn Pembroke Power Station officially opens". BBC News. 19 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "Everything you ever wanted to know about Pembroke Power Station" (PDF). RWE.
  3. ^ a b CEGB (1981). CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1980-81. London: CEGB. p. 7.
  4. ^ Handbook of Electricity Supply Statistics 1989. London: The Electricity Council. 1990. p. 8. ISBN 085188122X.
  5. ^ a b CEGB Statistical Yearbooks 1972-87, CEGB, London.
  6. ^ a b c "Landmark tower is demolished". BBC News. 25 November 2000.
  7. ^ "Site chosen for £600m power plant". BBC News. 30 May 2007.
  8. ^ "Woman died from washing husband's asbestos-ridden overalls". The Daily Telegraph. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Written - RWE Proposed Power Station At Pembroke". Welsh Assembly Government. Archived from the original on 13 November 2008.
  10. ^ "New power station will cost £800m". BBC News. 5 February 2007.
  11. ^ "Dock's £800m power plant back on". BBC News. 9 August 2007.
  12. ^ "£1bn Pembroke Power Station faces EU permits probe". BBC News. 26 October 2012.
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