Operations
Aberthaw burns approximately 5000–6000 tonnes of coal a day, contributing 6-7TWHrs per year. The site usually burns two thirds Welsh coal with the remainder being either foreign low-sulphur coal or biomass.
The station takes its entire coal feed stock in by rail, under contract to DBS from the Vale of Glamorgan Line.
Until its closure, it was in part supplied with coal from Tower Colliery in Hirwaun. Coal now mainly comes from the Ffos-y-fran Land Reclamation Scheme in Merthyr Tydfil, with other sources including: the Aberpergwm drift and opencast mines in the Neath Valley; and the Cwmgwrach Colliery via the Onllwyn Washery. Further stocks are sourced from abroad, primarily Russia, and shipped in via the Ports of Portbury, Avonmouth and Newport Docks.
In response to the government's renewable energy obligation that came into effect in April 2002, the station is currently firing a range of biomass materials to replace some of the coal burned. This is due to Welsh coal being less volatile than other coal and as such producing more sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Read more about this topic: Aberthaw Power Stations
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