UK to lose 0.5GW of capacity in the new year

[JamesH]

The Wylfa nuclear power station in Angelsey will cease operation in January 2016 and no new site will be generating until 2020 at the earliest.

It may only be 0.5 GW, but the grid was already close to capacity as some point this year. Do you think we will see through 2016 without any blackouts?

[LucidEnergy]

This may only be 0.5GW, but it is part of the base load, meaning that unlike losing a coal fired powerstation that only gets used in rare instances, there will need to immediately be a replacement for this, most likely this will mean more coal stations will be active at any given time.

[Zarostulus]

Not good news. I'm not typically a huge fan of nuclear power, but if this means more coal will be used I'm not happy. Why is it ceasing operations?

[LucidEnergy]

Not good news. I'm not typically a huge fan of nuclear power, but if this means more coal will be used I'm not happy. Why is it ceasing operations?

It is the oldest nuclear power station still operating in the world, and had simply reached the end of it's lifespan. There will be a new plant on the same site though, but it will take years to get on grid.

[Jemappelle]

Given the amount of new wind energy capacity coming online, combined with increased efficiency and conservation, I doubt that we will see blackouts in 2016, though certainly something to keep an eye on.