The needs of industry for reliable inspection-thermal power generation needs

Since privatisation of the UK Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) in 1989, much has happened that could have affected structural reliability. National Power's market share of fossil fuel power generation was 60% of the CEGB's original plant assets but since then, there have been a number of power station closures, new power stations built, Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGTs) and in 1996, there will be a regulatory requirement to divest 4000 MW of coal fired plant. In addition, National Power has acquired 3500 MW of generation plant overseas. National Power's market share can be affected by commercial pressures and availability, so there needs to be a commercial awareness that is robust but does not compromise safety. This paper describes how the management of the company's assets including the structural reliability of aging plant in diverse environments is now therefore complex and difficult to achieve.