Ratcliffe power station unit to stay in operation during winter

The unit at the station's 265-hectare (655 acre) site will carry on operating after an agreement was reached

A German energy company has come to an agreement to extend the life of part of a power station in Nottinghamshire.

Uniper says it will carry on using the unit at the coal-fired facility at Ratcliffe-on-Soar, having been approached by the government in April following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The 500MW unit - one of four there - had been due to close in September.

In a statement the firm said it would "help maintain energy supply security in this unprecedented situation".

Part of the existing power station site is due to house a new waste incinerator - prompting protests from environmental campaigners - and the site was also previously shortlisted as a possible location for a government-backed fusion reactor once it is decommissioned in October 2024.

Uniper said the unit would "continue to be available" to the National Grid until 31 March 2023 and is "also reviewing the potential for operation after this time".

Mike Lockett, its UK chairman, thanked staff at the power station"for their contribution in ensuring that we can continue to operate the unit".