AFTER a recent, peaceful protest at Aberthaw Power Station and subsequent press coverage on emissions and alleged health risks being linked to our site, I wanted to address these allegations head on.

This year will be a major transition in the station’s history; we are investing £5 million in technology that will significantly lower the station’s NOx emissions.

However, in turn, this will signal the end of Welsh coal deliveries to site, which given our joint history is highly disappointing.

We will also reduce our generation levels, meaning that there will be job reductions across the site. This is all to ensure that we can produce power when needed, whilst complying with emissions standards.

It is very difficult for me and the staff at site to read reports of health-related illnesses and deaths, allegedly caused as a result of our operations; especially as we make health, safety and environmental performance our number one concern.

The claims being made by Friends of the Earth and Reclaim the Power are flawed and are based on inaccurate reporting of data.

The false claims are being used emotively to raise fear amongst the public and discredit the vital role Aberthaw Power Station plays in ensuring security of electricity supply for the UK.

The reality is very different – over a 14 year period of monitoring local air quality, both SO2 and NOx concentrations have been significantly below the relevant EC and UK Government Standards.

I would like to thank the local community for their continued support.

Richard Little

Aberthaw Power Station manager