The power and protests at Didcot

Didcot Power Station has been part of the landscape since 1970

Didcot Power Station has courted controversy since its inception.

Since becoming operational in 1970, it has been accused of being one of the worst polluting power stations in the UK, not to mention an eyesore.

But the management behind it insists it forms a vital part of our energy needs.

"It generates enough electricity to serve two million people a year, equivalent to twice the population of Oxfordshire," explains John Rainford, Didcot A's power station manager.

"Didcot A contributes £30m to the local economy, and employs 350 people," he continues.

Didcot has two power stations on the site - one is gas fired, the other can burn coal or gas.

Ben Stewart, Greenpeace campaigner, was one of the protesters at the demonstration in 2006: "We would defend peoples' rights to take peaceful direct action. Coal is such an important issue.

"While Npower are looking to build new coal plants in Britain and across Europe the protesters' actions should be commended."

The most recent protests on the site in October 2009 led to 20 arrests. Activists displayed a banner reading "Climate Justice" and nine of them camped out on one of the chimney stacks for two days.

Power generation had not been affected during the protest but this is not the first time Didcot Power Station has been the target of campaigners.

The October 2009 protesters spent 48 hours atop a chimney stack

Stand-off

In July 2006 campaigners from Reclaim Power climbed a lighting tower at the site to unveil a banner that read "Climate Crime".

November 2006 saw power generation at the site reduced during a 2-day stand-off when protesters chained themselves to equipment. Greenpeace members also climbed a tower to paint "Blair's Legacy" on a chimney.

Friends of the Earth's rights campaigner Anna Watson understands the motives of those at the recent protest: "Coal-fired power stations are pumping out carbon emissions that are wrecking the climate, so it's no surprise that they're a target for demonstrations.

"Protest raises awareness and stimulates debate on important issues - climate change is a global crisis that will have catastrophic consequences.

"As more and more people recognise the urgent need for world leaders to tackle global warming, protests are likely to become increasingly common."

John Rainford disagrees: "Sitting on top of a chimney isn't going to affect climate change.

Didcot Power Station helped celebrate 1000 years of Oxfordshire in 2007

"The people who can - and do - really make a difference are the people at the bottom of the chimney - the power station workers.

"They are deeply passionate and absolutely committed to cutting emissions. These are the people who work in the community, live in the community and care about their community.

"At RWE Npower, we recognise the challenge of climate change and we will spend more than £1bn every year, over the next 10 years, to ensure future generations have electricity that's affordable, reliable, and more importantly, cleaner.

"However, we will see the power station close in the next few years as we switch to newer plants, which will produce less CO2."