September 24, 2012, 1:09 pm -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- RWE npower has announced that its 2000MW flagship power station in Pembroke is now fully commercially available. RWE now operates the largest and most efficient gas-fired power station fleet, as well as the largest renewable energy portfolio, in Britain
A group of officials and industry leaders joined John Hayes MP, Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Peter Terium, Chief Executive Officer, RWE AG,and Stephen Crabb MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales to open the new Pembroke Power Station at a ceremony at the site.
The £1 billion state-of-the-art station is one of Europe's largest and most efficient combined cycle gas turbine plants. At 2000MW, it will have an important role to play in the UK's energy supply, able to respond quickly to the market to provide a highly flexible and reliable source of energy to over 3.5 million households.
Volker Beckers, Group Chief Executive Officer, RWE npower, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Pembroke Power Station into our portfolio of operational plants. This addition means RWE npower now has the largest and most efficient gas portfolio as well as the largest fleet of renewable energy technologies in the country."
Minister of State for Energy, John Hayes MP, said: "The opening of Pembroke Power Station is great news for our energy security.
"Every new power station built is a real strategic asset for our economy. This billion-pound investment will play a vital role in our energy mix, providing a flexible, reliable energy supply for homes and businesses across the country."
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb said: "As a Pembrokeshire resident and MP, I have been fortunate enough to see first-hand how the strong collaboration of RWE npower, local businesses and the wider community has led us to where we are today. I am delighted to be here to see all that hard work come to fruition.
"Apart from the long-term jobs this state-of-the-art facility will create, it will also play a significant role in promoting the wider economic development of the local community - and Wales as a whole - for generations to come.
"With the ever-increasing demand for energy production, the UK needs new sources of power generation. I have no doubt that this facility will play a vital role in maintaining the UK's energy supplies for the future and make its own contribution to creating economic prosperity for Wales."
Control of the final unit of Pembroke was handed over to the station team last week, marking the end of over three years of construction, in which over 10,000 contractors worked 7.4 million man hours to complete the state-of-the-art facility. The opening ceremony was also a chance to thank all of the people have been involved in the successful construction of the plant for their commitment and hard work.
RWE has invested over £1 billion a year into the UK over the past few years. As well as the £1 billion Pembroke station and the £650 million gas-fired Staythorpe power station which opened last year, RWE is also the UK's leading investor in renewable technologies, with more installed renewable capacity and more investment than any other major energy company in the past five years.
About npower
npower is one of the top gas and electricity suppliers to
the UK business market, serving over 238,000 small to medium sized enterprise sites
and around 17,000 industrial and commercial customers, with over 100,000 sites.
npower Industrial and Commercial Markets is an award-winning business energy
supplier. In 2010 it was named 'The Consumer Supplier of the Year' at The Energy
Event and was also awarded 'Energy Supplier of the Year' at the inaugural Energy
'Buying & Supplying Excellence' Awards. Both awards were voted for by business
customers.
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