EDF Energy’s Cottam coal fired power station has switched off its generating plant the final time. Since it started generating in 1968 the station has produced nearly 500 TWh hours of electricity. It was originally planned to operate for 30 years.
The power station has been a key part of the local community for more than 50 years and many local and national contract partners have also become an integral part of the Cottam team supporting its operation.
The station’s staff have been preparing for the eventual closure of the site for almost two years, and the management have worked closely with the site’s labour unions to ensure the minimum disruption for staff.
Cottam team has set up its own ‘People Hub’ to work with staff to explore new opportunities within EDF Energy and a number have joined the team building and eventually operating the country’s first new nuclear power station in a generation at Hinkley Point in Somerset.
Some have stayed closer to home and moved across to West Burton A coal station which currently has capacity market contracts to operate until September 2021 or to the West Burton B Combined Cycle Gas Turbine station which started operating in 2013. All the apprentices have also secured roles at other EDF Energy sites.