Power station steps up production

Fawley power station was built in the 1960s

A power station in the New Forest is increasing its production of energy to meet the growing electricity demand.

A mothballed turbine, which was made redundant 12 years ago, was restarted at Fawley in Hampshire on Thursday.

By running two out of its four oil-fired units, the power station can now supply one and a half million homes - an extra half - with energy.

The Fawley station is only used to "top up" the nation's electricity grid at times of high demand.

Nick Stockdale, station manager, said they needed to restart the turbine in order to meet an increase in demand, but said it was not a long-term solution.

"It's a stop-gap measure. There are no new power stations being built for about the next three years," he said.

"A lot of the country's older power stations are coming up to retirement age.

"Whilst new forms of power generation are considered, Fawley will continue to play a vital role in balancing supply and demand.

"We don't operate for long periods of time, its just to fill the real peak demand."