Aberthaw Power Station

Erith secured the enabling works package for the former Aberthaw ‘B’ coal-fired power station in Aberthaw, Vale of Glamorgan on Wales’ south coast. The extensive project includes the soft stripping, asbestos removal, de-planting, and the demolition of the turbine hall and auxiliary structures. Following its closure in March 2020, the station began decommissioning to prepare for demolition..

We entered into a ‘Fixed Price’ NEC 4 Contract with Cardiff Capital Region Energy for the design and demolition works, adhering to specified performance requirements. Appointed as Principal Contractor and Principal Designer in February 2024, Erith’s role includes demolishing all structures to the top of the lowest ground-bearing slab. Post-demolition, the scope extends to backfilling basement gullies, trenches, and voids, and sealing culverts and tunnels.

The decommissioned power station, with a capacity of 1605 MW from three 535MW coal-fired units, included a Turbine Hall, Boiler House, Deaerator and Bunker Bay, Chimney, FGD plant, Precipitators, Ducting, and other facilities. Demolition techniques such as hot cutting, mechanical demolition, and controlled explosive events will be employed to ensure safe and efficient dismantling of the structures.

The wider site includes a 7.5-acre area containing a 132kV and a 275kV substation occupied by Western Power Distribution (WPD) and National Grid (NG) respectively under the terms of a lease. Both areas are excluded from the demolition works but represent a significant constraint to the delivery of the project.

Upon acquiring the site, we assumed significant environmental responsibilities in line with existing permits and consents including the maintenance of all drainage systems, operations of skimmers and interceptors, ongoing dewatering of basements and deep structures, monitoring of cooling water inlet and outlet systems (including off-shore CW structures), maintenance and repair of stack lighting and off-shore caisson lighting along with managing all related asset systems.

Our commitment to social value and community involvement extended to employing and upskilling local labour. Where possible we are also committed to procure site consumables and tools using local businesses. We have liaised with local colleges to offer work placements for apprentices looking to gain experience within the construction industry and have offered site tours to groups from Women in Property.
 
An ecologist was appointed to oversee site ecology, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. We have employed Enzygo to assist with the design and implementation of requirements in accordance with the ecological constraints and in full accordance with the EIA Screening and prior notification requirements.