Power station is ready for action

The directors of Sutton Bridge Power Station say they hope to bring back 30 jobs by getting it switched on again before Christmas and help beat current shortages.

Those now in charge of the plant say they’re in talks with the government to get the station back on the grid but it’s going ‘slower than hoped’.

The station and its sister site Severn Power in South Wales were effectively closed in August 2020 after Calon Energy went into administration with around 30 job losses.

It exited the process in March this year with directors Jeff Holder and Scott Magie creating two separate companies in a bid to reopen both.

Amid rising energy costs they are looking to reopen the plant as soon as possible to help meet demand in the winter months, subject to government support.

The directors say funding is in place to get both power stations up and running, but they’re looking for future financial assurances from the government.

Mr Holder said: “If we can make it a reality we would be anticipating 30 jobs at the site plus there would be a knock- on effect including for experienced local contractors.

“We’re starting discussions with various government bodies.

“The talks are going positively but slower than we would have liked. What we’re trying to do would be great for the local community in Sutton Bridge, great for British tax payers and great for emissions as though they’re gas powered, they’re much more efficient than other gas powered ones and it’s more efficient than coal fired.

“As a company we’ll be able to reduce the risk of any potential energy shortages this winter and make the country less reliant on importing power from elsewhere.”

The directors say they haven’t spoken to local MPs such as Sir John Hayes about the matter but that may be the next step.

Mr Magie said: “Talks with the government are going much slower than we’d wish for. We’re taking it day to day but every day is a day we’re missing out on with Christmas and New Year coming up.

“The goal is to get the stations operating before Christmas. That will be a Herculean task, especially getting the staff back after the power stations were mothballed.

“We’re asking people to come back and we’re also talking to recruiters. We’re trying to work out how we can contribute to the UK pot, issues that could develop, how we employ people again and the infrastructure required to get it back in the system.

“We’re very low emissions,  compared with other services and we’re extremely efficient compared with others in this country.

“It’s very tough to kick on as we lost all the contractors when the plant was mothballed. We’re now trying to sort out the arrangements so we can get it back running to help save the tax payers money.”