The firm noted that npower has secured new contracts to recycle the Didcot ash for use in industry, including road-building projects.
Other factors have also contributed to the deferral, according to the company. Milder weather conditions over two successive winters have resulted in less power than normal being generated at Didcot, which has in turn reduced the amount of ash produced on site.
Changing energy market conditions may also mean a more evenly distributed rate of coal ash production in the run up to the station’s closure, due by the end of 2015, making the volumes more manageable, the company said.
John Rainford, manager of the Didcot power station, said: This is good news. We have always worked very hard to find the best ash solutions and we’ll continue to do so. As a result of our efforts we’ve managed to take advantage of a stronger market for ash reuse. This means we are now able to put the use of Thrupp Lake on hold for the time being.
