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Storm Eunice: Grain power station remains offline following chimney damage

By: Alex Langridge alangridge@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 17:49, 21 February 2022

Updated: 18:24, 21 February 2022

A power station is set to remain offline indefinitely while a full inspection is carried out following storm damage which saw its chimney collapse.

High winds took out the middle tower at the station on the Isle Of Grain on Friday as Storm Eunice wreaked havoc across the county.

The moment the chimney collapsed

A Uniper spokesman confirmed no date had been set for the site to be restarted: "The site was evacuated as a precaution and we will need to carry out a full inspection before we return.

"It is too early to say any more at this stage."

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There were no casualties reported and the energy company confirmed there was no risk to the local community.

The power station was taken offline following the damage after dramatic footage showed the central tower buckle and bend over in half during the strong winds.

A power station tower in Grain has been knocked down
Grain power station's middle chimney bending over in the winds. Picture: Katie Foord

The scenes were captured on the site and as far afield as Queenborough across the River Medway on the Isle of Sheppey where the destruction could be seen.

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: "We have made inquiries with the safety team at the power station and at this stage we are not investigating."

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Across Kent 3,800 homes and businesses are still without power.

A rare red 'danger to life' weather warning was in place across the county until 3pm on Friday.

It is the first time the Met Office has ever issued the highest wind warning for the county.

Gone: two chimneys at the power station on the Isle of Grain remain thanks to Storm Eunice on Friday. Picture: James Hughes

People are now being urged to not travel today as Storm Franklin hits the county and causes disruption to Kent's transport network.

Speaking on Friday, a Uniper spokesman said: "A weather-related incident has occurred at Grain power station, during storm Eunice.

"We can confirm that there are no casualties and there is no risk to the local community. However, it has caused some damage on site and the power station has been temporarily taken offline as a precaution."

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