Under-threat Killingholme and Brigg power stations handed reprieve

Brigg power station is one of two that will remain open on a short-term basis

Two power stations that were earmarked for closure in northern Lincolnshire have been handed a short-term reprieve.

Centrica said in February that its Killingholme and Brigg gas-fired power stations were to close after making losses.

But each site has been awarded another 10 months' work, delaying the planned closure of the plants.

Centrica announced in February that its full-year operating profits fell by 35% to £1.75bn.

Both power stations were mothballed in March raising fears over the futures of the remaining 54 staff.

Michael Macdonald, from the union Prospect, said: "The unions and Centrica see the short-life extension as positive news for all."

Killingholme is to become part of National Grid's Supplemental Balancing Reserve (SBR) while Brigg will be a distributed generator providing a direct supply to the local network.

The SBR provides backup to power stations experiencing high demand in winter.