Power station plan (From Barry And District News)

Power station plan

MORE than 100 million will be spent on Aberthaw Power Station in a move which will safeguard hundreds jobs.

Owner npower is to fit new environmental technology to reduce emissions from the coal-fired power station near Barry.

The Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) technology, which costs more than 100 million, will reduce sulphur emissions from the station by up to 90 percent, and will allow the station to operate under European environmental regulations due to come into force in 2008.

Aberthaw produces around a third of the electricity output for Wales and currently puts 52 million into the local economy each year.

The investment will safeguard the 244 direct jobs at the station alongside many more indirect roles in related industries in South Wales.

Clive Smith, station manager at Aberthaw, said: "This investment will not only improve our environmental performance, it will also secure the future of the power station for at least the next ten years.

"We are consulting and working with the local community and other interested parties to ensure there is minimal disruption to the local area and that everyone is informed of the ongoing plans.

"We are looking forward to starting this new phase in developing the plant and working with the local community to make it a success."

Consent to fit the FGD technology was granted in June 2004. A letter of intent has been signed with contractors Alstom / Amec and the project is scheduled to be complete by early 2008.

The equipment will be contained within the existing power station grounds and will not significantly change the appearance of the site.

Secretary of the Trade Union Congress for the area and Barry Town mayor Theo Stenstrom, said: "We have fought for this to be done and it is very pleasing that the jobs are now safe there.

"The station puts a lot of money into the local economy. I worked at the power station for 35 years and have been heavily involved in the plant to get this improvement implemented.

"It will also mean reduced emissions from the station which will benefit the whole area."