EU targets 'will force Ironbridge power station to close'

Shropshire's only power station will be forced to close its doors in less than four years because of EU emissions targets, it was claimed today.

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said Buildwas Power Station in Ironbridge had until 2015, to convert to clean-coal technology or biomass.

After a meeting with the plant's directors Mr Kawczynski said he would being asking Prime Minister David Cameron for more incentives for power station operators to stop using coal.

"Unless the power station converts to biomass by the end of 2015 the turbines will be turned off," said Mr Kawczynski.

"I will be explaining to Mr Cameron that it is very important we give a clear steer on what the government can do to help the power plants.

"I believe there are only around 20 of these types of power stations left across the UK. It has a great impact on the area powering 750,000 homes and providing 200 jobs."

EU legislation imposes tough new limits and demands power plants either convert to green technology or "clean" the use of fossil fuels by storing carbon emissions to prevent them entering the atmosphere.

Jonathan Smith, media relations manager for Eon, which runs the power plant, said: "The plant does not conform to certain EU emission."