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Cottam power station

Cottam power station, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, ceased generation in 2019 after over 50 years of electricity generation.

Over 50 years of electricity generation

A beacon on North Nottinghamshire’s skyline for the past 52 years, Cottam power station ceased generation on Monday 30 September 2019.

Since it started generating in 1968 the station has produced nearly 500 terawatt hours of electricity – enough to single-handedly power the UK for around 18 months. It was originally designed for 30 years of operation.

The station will now enter into the decommissioning stage, the purpose of which is to remove hazards in advance of demolition which is scheduled to begin in early 2021.

About Cottam

  • Cottam coal-fired power station was commissioned in 1968 by the Central Electricity Generating Board and had a generating capacity of 2,000 megawatts (MW). 
  • Coal burn 183,000,000 Te
  • Number of trains to site – 150,000 
  • Total Hours generation – 1,099,000
  • Start-ups – 13,145

News from Cottam

September 30, 2019

Cottam Power Station powers down after half a century

Cottam power station has switched off for the final time. Since it started generating in 1968 the station has produced nearly 500 terawatt hours of electricity – enough to single-handedly power the UK for around 18 months. It was originally planned to operate for 30 years
February 07, 2019

Cottam power station to cease generation

EDF Energy has decided to end generation at its Cottam coal-fired power station in North Nottinghamshire and will now start consultation with Trades Union partners.

Contact Cottam

Address: EDF, Cottam Power Station, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 0NP
Community requests: stuart.lindsay@edfenergy.com
Media requests: matthew.pardo@edf-energy.com

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