EDF Energy’s new 1,300 MW CCGT power plant, currently being commissioned at West Burton in Nottinghamshire, has successfully achieved its Unit 1 ‘first fire’ with steam and was synchronised with the grid. First fire with steam means that the gas turbine has been run up to full speed without yet generating electricity and first steam means that the gas turbine has been fired for long enough to generate steam in the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (which will be used to power the steam turbine). Synchronisation with National Grid signifies the commencement of commercial power production. Unit 1 is the second of the three gas turbines to have fired. First fire of Unit 2 was in April 2012, with first steam being generated and synchronisation to National Grid taking place in May 2012. Unit 3 is scheduled to first fire at the end of the year, with all three units running through commissioning and testing activities through to full commercial operation in early 2013. The construction of the CCGT in Nottinghamshire is part of EDF Energy’s strategy of investment in the UK energy infrastructure. Once commissioned, the CCGT can generate enough electricity for approximately 1.5 million homes.
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