DIDCOT A Power Station will close on March 31 next year, RWE npower announced this morning.

The 2,000MW coal-fired Didcot A Power Station has been operating for 42 years.

The station will stop generating electricity on 31st March 2013.

Didcot A Power Station has been a stalwart of UK power generation since it began operation in 1970.

During its lifetime the power station has provided electricity to millions of homes and businesses across the UK, and contributed millions of pounds into the local economy.

The station opted out of the EU’s Large Combustion Plant Directive in 2008, and is therefore required to stop generation at the point at which it has completed 20,000 hours of generation, or by the end of December 2015 at the latest.

The station is expected to reach the end of its allocated hours by March next year.

Phil Noake, Didcot A Power Station Manager, said: ”This is a time to reflect on the fantastic team we have at Didcot A Power Station, and say thank you to all those who have helped to deliver power to homes and businesses across Britain for over 40 years. Our thanks also go to the local community who have supported us throughout these years.”

The future of the site has not yet been decided; however it remains a significant location for future power generation. The closure of Didcot A Power Station will not impact Didcot B Power Station, a gas fired power station which was built alongside the closing coal-fired station in 1997 and will continue to operate as normal.