The long term future of energy generation in the UK received a major boost November 26 as DONG Energy’s £600 million Severn Power station in South Wales became fully operational.

DONG Energy, Denmark’s leading power generation company acquired the project from Welsh Power in 2009. The new energy-efficient gas-fired power station has the capacity to generate up to 834 megawatts (MW) net of electricity – enough to meet the average power needs of around 1.5 million homes. 

The new power station, which took three years to construct and commission, uses some of the most modern energy generating equipment available. It is approx 58% efficient, which is a big improvement on the performance of older style power stations. As a result, it produces far less emissions per unit of energy generated.

Severn Power station is situated at Uskmouth near Newport in South Wales and uses gas to produce electricity which is feed into the national grid. It is a significant addition to the Principality’s power generating capacity.

Richard Tyreman, Project Director, said:
“Severn Power station represents an investment of £600 million and has taken three years to construct and commission. It therefore represents a significant investment for DONG Energy and makes clear the company’s commitment to the UK. Many local people were included in the 1,000-strong labour force which built this new facility and we hope that they take as much pride as we do in the completion of a project of such regional and national importance.”

Its high efficiency and low emissions are largely the result of its use of Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) technology.  CCGT uses a combination of heat from the gas turbines and steam (made using the hot exhaust gases from the same gas turbines) to drive the generator from both ends. Effectively, this creates a turbo-charging effect.

Severn Power station began generating power commercially on 9th November 2010 when the first of its twin gas and steam turbines was brought on-line. Now the second line is fully operational and also supplying electricity to the national grid.