The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has granted development consent to Eggborough Power Limited (EPL) to develop a new gas fired power station on the site of its coal fired power station at Eggborough near Selby, North Yorkshire.
Once constructed the gas fired power station will have a gross output capacity of up to 2,500 megawattss. In addition to three combined cycle gas turbine units, the new power station will include a gas-fired peaking plant of up to 299 MW that would be capable of providing a rapid response to changes in demand and supply on the electricity transmission system. A new underground gas pipeline will be constructed to connect the power station to the UK’s natural gas transmission network.
EPL submitted its application for development consent to the Secretary of State at the end of May 2017 following two stages of consultation with key stakeholders and the local community held in late summer 2016 and early 2017. The consultation included several public exhibitions that were held near the site at which there was the opportunity to discuss the project and provide comments.
Construction of the new gas fired power station could commence as early as mid 2019 creating up to 1,200 construction jobs with a further 70 permanent operational jobs once the plant becomes operational.
James Crankshaw, Head of Engineering at EPUKI, said: “We are delighted with the Secretary of State’s decision to grant consent. Eggborough has been a significant part of the UK energy landscape for over 40 years and this consent provides an opportunity for the site to continue to play a key role in both the local economy and in the security of electricity supplies nationally.”
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