The first stage of major demolition activities at at the former coal-fired Ferrybridge Power Station in West Yorkshire has got underway, following its closure by SSE in March 2016.

In a controlled explosion, SSE's principal contractor Keltbray demolished the 114-metre-high Cooling Tower 6.

A larger demolition event is expected to take place in October 2019, when four of the remaining cooling towers will be 'blown down'. The demolition activities at the site are expected to be fully completed by summer 2021.

These demolition works are part of SSE's ongoing transition to a low-carbon energy future, in line with the UK's ambition for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As the UK looks to take action on climate change, SSE is committed to supporting low-carbon generation technologies, with a core focus on renewable energy complemented by super-efficient gas plants.

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SSE continues to operate the Ferrybridge Multifuel 1 waste-to-energy plant at the site as a joint venture with Wheelabrator Technologies. The two companies are now constructing Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 in a £325m investment. Combined, the two facilities will divert an estimated 1.3m tonnes of waste from landfill.

Charlie Cryans, Director of Construction, SSE Thermal Energy, said: "The removal of this cooling tower marks the start of the major demolition activities at Ferrybridge Power Station, with work due to continue over the next two years. We would like to thank local residents for their patience and cooperation this morning, and West Yorkshire Police, the Highways Agency and the Civil Aviation Authority for helping us ensure a safe and efficient demolition. We're now looking ahead to the next phase of demolition works at the site scheduled for October, when four of the cooling towers will be removed."

(MH/CM)