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SSE to close Ferrybridge coal plant SSE to close Ferrybridge coal plant
(35 minutes later)
Energy company SSE has confirmed it will close down one of its two remaining coal-fired plants, saying it is no longer economical.Energy company SSE has confirmed it will close down one of its two remaining coal-fired plants, saying it is no longer economical.
The firm said it would close Ferrybridge power station in West Yorkshire by March 2016.The firm said it would close Ferrybridge power station in West Yorkshire by March 2016.
The announcement came as it revealed flat profits for 2015.The announcement came as it revealed flat profits for 2015.
Union leaders described the closure as "devastating news" for the plant's 172 employees, though SSE said it would redeploy staff "where possible".Union leaders described the closure as "devastating news" for the plant's 172 employees, though SSE said it would redeploy staff "where possible".
SSE's adjusted pre-tax profit for the 12 months to the end of March was £1.56bn, compared with £1.55bn the year before.SSE's adjusted pre-tax profit for the 12 months to the end of March was £1.56bn, compared with £1.55bn the year before.
It lost 500,000 customers in the period, which it blamed on competition from smaller providers.It lost 500,000 customers in the period, which it blamed on competition from smaller providers.
Paul Smith, SSE managing director of generation, said it had been a "very difficult decision" to close the plant and the firm had kept the site "running for as long as we possibly could".Paul Smith, SSE managing director of generation, said it had been a "very difficult decision" to close the plant and the firm had kept the site "running for as long as we possibly could".
He said: "Our team at Ferrybridge is highly skilled, dedicated, with a strong track record of performance and we're keen to ensure, where possible, staff are redeployed across other parts of the SSE group, for example at the nearby Keadby power station, or across the wider business."He said: "Our team at Ferrybridge is highly skilled, dedicated, with a strong track record of performance and we're keen to ensure, where possible, staff are redeployed across other parts of the SSE group, for example at the nearby Keadby power station, or across the wider business."
Phil Whitehurst, national officer of the GMB union, said: "This is devastating news for Ferrybridge workers at a station that has years of life left to supply electricity, at a fraction of the price of other energy suppliers.Phil Whitehurst, national officer of the GMB union, said: "This is devastating news for Ferrybridge workers at a station that has years of life left to supply electricity, at a fraction of the price of other energy suppliers.
"As things stand, the only thing consumers will get from some of these suppliers are higher bills."As things stand, the only thing consumers will get from some of these suppliers are higher bills.
"Unlike Ferrybridge none of the components and little of the labour will be sourced from the UK.""Unlike Ferrybridge none of the components and little of the labour will be sourced from the UK."
SSE said it was committed to the Ferrybridge site, with a £300m multi-fuel plant next to the power station due to open before the end of the year. The company has also submitted plans to build another multi-fuel station at the site.SSE said it was committed to the Ferrybridge site, with a £300m multi-fuel plant next to the power station due to open before the end of the year. The company has also submitted plans to build another multi-fuel station at the site.
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