BARRY, Wales, July 2, 2026, 23:02 BST
- Crews responded to a fire at the old Aberthaw Power Station at around 09:32. The most recent update said fire crews from roughly 17 stations were on the scene.
- CCR Energy said everyone was accounted for, and people living near Rhoose and Font-Y-Gary were told to watch for smoke.
- The shut coal plant had 1,560 MW capacity, but investors are focused on the cost and schedule for redevelopment, not the lost output.
- London stocks were not in normal trading hours at dateline. The London Stock Exchange lists standard hours as 0800 to 1630 local time.
Crews from about 17 stations were still battling a major industrial fire at the old Aberthaw Power Station near Barry late Thursday, according to the latest report at 8:20 p.m. South Wales Fire and Rescue got the call at around 09:32.
For investors, the message is more limited than the headlines. Aberthaw no longer runs. RWE AG (ETR:RWE), which used to operate the site, says the coal burner closed on March 31, 2020. The plant once had 1,560 MW and could power around 1.5 million homes.
| Fire response data | Confirmed figure | Market read-through |
|---|---|---|
| Time of first alert | 09:32, July 2 | Incident is lasting hours at a brownfield site |
| Number of fire stations | Roughly 17, per latest | This was a major response, not standard site issue |
| Gear listed in updates | Eight trucks, four bowsers, two aerials | Needed a lot of water and access up high, heavy resource draw |
| Areas given warnings | Rhoose and Font-Y-Gary | Disruption likely for locals, grid impact not confirmed |
Wales247 listed equipment and crews from 15 stations. ITV later said the number was about 17 stations at the scene.
CCR Energy, which is heading up the redevelopment project, said emergency steps started right away. In its 15:20 update, the company said there’s “no further official update to share” and confirmed “all personnel have been accounted for.” Bro Radio
South Wales Fire and Rescue Group Manager Tony Redman said the wind was pushing most of the smoke out to sea, but warned it “may affect” Rhoose and Font-Y-Gary. People were told to keep their doors and windows shut. Wales 247
The site is the key piece here. Cardiff Capital Region said it picked up the 500-acre ex-power station in 2022, paying with a £36.4 million investment package. The group’s investment page puts the gross development value above £500 million, pointing to plans for green energy, storage, net-zero manufacturing, an ecology park, a plant for pulverised fuel ash and possible giga-plant facilities.
| Redevelopment variable | Project data | Why investors care |
|---|---|---|
| Site size | 500 acres | Big enough for grid storage, industrial or utility work |
| Public investment package | £36.4 million | Public cash is tied to progress on the ground |
| Listed GDV | £500 million-plus | Project delays could shift local development gains |
| Cleanup period | Three to four years before redevelopment | Incidents mean schedule and insurance checks |
| Full repositioning | Possibly 10-15 years | Long horizon raises risk on early stages |
CCR Energy says Phase One demolition will take three years and break the 500-acre site into five zones. Two of the zones are set for the longest work, listed at around 118 weeks and 135 weeks.
Erith Contractors said its scope at Aberthaw covers soft stripping, taking out asbestos, de-plant works, and bringing down the turbine hall plus auxiliary buildings. The company entered a fixed-price NEC 4 deal with Cardiff Capital Region Energy and took the roles of principal contractor and designer in February 2024.
Grid assets are another limit. Erith says there is a 7.5-acre patch on the site with 132kV and 275kV substations, leased to Western Power Distribution and National Grid plc (LON:NG). Those parts won’t be touched by the demolition. Erith calls them a “significant constraint” on the project. Erith
CCR Energy brought down the old chimney stack on June 12. The company said in its release the stack stood around 512 feet, or 156 metres. Erith and PDC Explosives Engineering handled the demolition. CCR Energy chair Paul Matthews said the move would “prepare the site for future investment.” Erith’s operations director Andy Dyson called the job one of “meticulous planning.” CCR Energy
Authorities had not confirmed what sparked the fire as of dateline, and there was no word on damages.
