Consultation Over Eggborough Power Station Closure Begins
240 workers are facing redundancy.
Businesses in Goole say the likely closure of Eggborough Power Station will have a devastating impact on the town.
240 workers are facing redundancy - and could be forced to move out of the Yorkshire region - if plans to shut the site next year go ahead.
Today - the plant's owners will begin consulting with staff over jobs.
Darren Jukes and Simon Gerald both own businesses in Goole town centre and told us they're concerned about the impact the closure will have on the local economy. Darren said:
"People who live in and around Goole, they're going to work there so it is going to have a knock on effect for everybody I think. You've only got to look round Goole and there are already a lot of businesses closing. I think this closure is going to be tough for everybody in this area.
"If people aren't working in this area then they are not going to be spending their money in this area."
Simon told us:
"Goole needs and injection of capital and jobs and this is going the wrong way. There's no doubt that anything that closes around the area and diminishes the prospect of employment is not good. Goole is already feeling the pinch and I suspect that there'll be a closure or two more.
"I have been trading in Goole for 40 years and as far as retail goes I think this is the worst I've seen it. I think there'll be a number of further shop closures in the town centre soon and you can see the economy shrinking rather than growing, which is bad for everybody."
The Unite Union are warning highly skilled power workers may have to move out of the Yorkshire and Humber region if suitable jobs aren't available.
Regional officer Kelvin Mawer says finding other work could prove very hard:
“What has happened to the coal-based energy sector in West Yorkshire in recent months is devastating to those losing their jobs – which we estimate at about 1,000 jobs overall - and a crippling blow to the local economy. “Energy secretary Amber Rudd should take a long, hard look at the energy needs of the country. Coal is the cheapest form of energy, especially if the carbon tax was lowered. Britain is sitting on a huge reservoir of coal. “By closing Eggborough and Ferrybridge C, you are reducing their contribution to the grid by about eight per cent, enough to power about four million homes. If there is a harsh winter this year, we believe that energy demands will be so stretched, power cuts could be on the cards. “Unite is meeting the Eggborough management next Tuesday (8 September). Our first goal will be to explore avenues that may keep the power station open. Until we have had those talks, we don’t know how viable this will be.”
Neil O’Hara, chief executive of Eggborough Power Ltd, said:* *
“We are deeply saddened at the prospect of potentially ceasing generation at Eggborough Power Station and believe that Eggborough Power could have a significant part to play in ensuring security of supply in the UK electricity market, particularly while there remains great uncertainty around new-build gas-fired generation. We intend to conduct a thorough consultation process with our employees and their representatives while we continue to consider all options available to us, including seeking to engage with government bodies. Our priority is to support our staff during this difficult time.”