The investment in detail

This substantial £1 billion investment project is already underway and will keep Dinorwig and Ffestiniog in operation for at least another 25 years. These flexible generation assets, both based in North Wales, are essential to the UK Government’s accelerated target of achieving a net zero carbon power grid by 2030. 

ENGIE UK, in partnership with CDPQ, have already deployed part of this investment with the replanting of Ffestiniog, which has a capacity of 360 MW.

At Dinorwig, work has begun on replacing the six generating units and the main inlet valves – some of the largest in the world – which control the flow of millions of litres of water. The water pressure in the shafts is higher than a nuclear submarine can withstand and the plant is capable of delivering full output in less than 30 seconds. Before the inlet valves can be replaced, a once in 40-year drain down of the system must take place. When fully operational, Dinorwig has a capacity of 1800 MW.

Together these assets help keep the national electricity system balanced, offering instant system flexibility at short notice. They have evolved from offering the flexibility needed to manage the day-night patterns of electricity consumption, to now supporting the integration of more renewable intermittent electricity production in the system. The plants are reaching end of life and replanting will ensure that clean energy continues to flow into the next few decades.

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband said: “We are busy delivering our clean power action plan to make Britain a clean energy superpower- boosting our homegrown supplies by accelerating the rollout of wind and solar. Alongside this, the UK needs long-term energy storage and reliable, flexible low-carbon power to deliver clean power by 2030. 

Companies like ENGIE understand that clean energy is the economic opportunity of the 21stcentury, and are investing in the technologies the UK needs to support lower energy bills, protect our energy security, and create good local jobs.”  

First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan said: “The renewable energy sector is creating exciting economic opportunities for Wales and is vital in ensuring we meet our future energy targets while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

 Investments such as these create high quality jobs for the local community. ENGIE is a longstanding investor in Wales, employing around 200 permanent staff and I’m pleased to support its replanting scheme, which will see the facilities continue to operate for another 25 years.”   

Assets on this scale are incredibly difficult to build today, so we believe it is essential to preserve and cherish the existing clean power assets we have in the UK: being conscious of costs and optimising all efforts and resources in our transition to net zero.