Bloomberg reported that RWE AG's Didcot plant in the UK was brought to a standstill as protesters remained on top of the power station’s chimney overnight.

National Grid Plc data showed that the two generating units of the 2,000 MW power station in Oxfordshire stopped and remain offline. The units were fueled by gas because protesters blocked the conveyor that takes coal into the furnace.

RWE npower, the German utility’s UK unit, said that the power station wasn’t scheduled to operate today and that it may be fired up if needed.

Mr Richard Frost RWE spokesman said that "We did not switch it off specifically because the protesters were on the chimney. The plant is available if we need it."

Mr Frost said that the 11 protesters that occupied the conveyor belt taking the coal into the furnace were arrested yesterday.

RWE became a target after EON AG's UK unit shelved plans for a new coal plant at Kingsnorth. Coal produces twice as much CO2 as natural gas for electricity production, and RWE's Didcot station emitted more than 5 million tons in 2008.

According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s web site, RWE plans new coal stations at Tilbury in Essex and Blyth, in Northumberland. The UK's electricity comes mainly from coal, gas and nuclear powered stations. Coal fueled plants accounted for 31% of 2008 energy consumption.

(Sourced from www.bloomberg.net)