AS HOMES across the UK enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities, staff at Aberthaw Power Station in Barry, near Cardiff, will be working around the clock powering the nation's homes ensuring the Christmas lights keep on twinkling and the TV Christmas specials are watched.

Around 300 people will be working or on standby across the Christmas and New Year period - in the control rooms, maintaining the plant and getting coal to the power station, with plans in place to ensure employees can get to work, when required, no matter what the weather.

Coal-fired Aberthaw Power Station produces enough electricity to meet the needs of 1.5 million people – the equivalent population of five cities the size of Cardiff. Generating electricity is a 24/7 operation, and the festive period is no exception. The team at Aberthaw will be working throughout Christmas, playing a valuable role in helping to provide the nation with a secure supply of energy, particularly when demand increases as we switch on our ovens or televisions.

Aberthaw is well equipped to deal with winter cold snaps and bad weather conditions, with contingency plans to deal with anything from fetching staff in 4x4s to emergency rations and beds at the station to make sure nothing gets in the way of the station generating electricity.

Aberthaw Power Station manager Phil Allen said: "We would like to thank the local community for their continued support across the year. We would also like to thank the regional emergency services who provide invaluable support all year around.

"Our staff have family and loved ones at home also, so their commitment is especially appreciated at this time of year. It’s thanks to their dedication and hard work that we can continue to safely deliver millions of homes with electricity."

There is another reason to celebrate this year, Aberthaw B celebrated 50 years of generation from the site and achieved a record year, generating over 10 TWh during 2013 - equivalent to supplying energy to 18 Cardiffs.

Phil Jones, shift manager on Christmas Day, said: "It is always hard working Christmas day, however we know the job we do is important and we are very proud to generate electricity to homes across Wales. We will celebrate in our own unique style, each member of the team will bring food in for a feast and we might even pull a cracker."