E.ON UK plc has ceased commercial generation at its 1,940-MW Kingsnorth coal-fired power plant. The closure was originally announced March 8. Decommissioning of Kingsnorth is set to be done in preparation for the plant's formal closure on March 31, 2013. The plant closure is the result of the European Union's Large Combustion Plant Directive legislation, which required it to close after generating for 20,000 hours after January 1, 2008, if the company did not opt to retrofit the plant with pollution controls. The power station was commissioned in 1970.

METER engineers at E.ON UK held a day of industrial action on December 17, 2012 as part of a pay dispute. Members of Unite union picketed the company's call centre in Raw Dykes Road, Leicester, after failing to reach agreement with management over pay and working arrangements. Unite said 250 members across the region joined the 24 hour strike, which it said would be followed by an overtime ban and work to rule from January 2 until the dispute is resolved.

E.ON UK plc announced the launch of a second smart metering centre of excellence to keep up with demand for the new technology. The customer service team, which will be 85-strong, will be based at Parklands in Bolton and will offer tailored advice and support for customers with or wanting smart meters. Since the opening of its first smart metering centre of excellence in Nottingham in May 2011, the company has seen the number of enquiries on smart meters triple and the opening in Bolton represents the company's commitment to helping put customers in control of their energy. In order to keep up with growing demand, the company has also re-skilled over 160 meter installers to become specialist smart meter fitters.