Why we are building a new power station at Pembroke

With many power stations set to close over the next 10 to 15 years, the UK is likely to need 15-25GW of new power generation by 2020. The new, highly efficient, gas-fired power station in Pembroke will therefore play a vital role in maintaining energy supplies for the future.

European Legislation (Large Combustion Plant Directive - LCPD) means that a large number of existing coal power stations are due to close by the end of 2015.  In addition, ageing nuclear stations will close in the years leading up to 2020 as they reach the end of their operational lives. Despite efforts to improve efficiency, demand for electricity is expected to increase in coming years.  If power plants are not replaced then the UK could face a major shortfall in electricity supply.

In the immediate term, gas-fired plants are the preferred option for providing new capacity. Generating electricity from gas is more efficient than using other fossil fuels and gas also contains less carbon than coal.  These two factors result in gas fired generation emitting around half the CO₂ emissions when compared to electricity generated from coal.

The new state-of-the-art power station being constructed at our Pembroke site will make a significant contribution to ongoing energy supply while helping to cut CO₂ emissions.  The new power station will have a total generating capacity of around 2,000MW and will produce enough energy for around three and a half million homes.

At the same time as developing new efficient power stations, our sister company, RWE npower renewables continues to invest heavily in renewable generation.  As one of the largest developers and operators of renewables, RWE npower renewables believes it can help meet current Welsh Assembly Government targets of supplying 7TWH of electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and UK government targets of 20% by 2020.

The nation needs a diverse mix of electricity generation including gas and 'cleaner' coal, which reduces dependency on a single fuel type and helps to maintain a secure, sustainable and affordable electricity supply for the future.