SSE gets green light for new Ferrybridge power plant
31 Oct 2011
London – SSE Generation Ltd, part of Scottish and Southern Energy, has received consent from the UK’s department of energy and climate change to develop an up to 108MW multi-fuel project within its existing Ferrybridge coal power station site.
The facility will use a range of sustainable fuel sources, including biomass, waste-derived fuels and waste wood, to generate electricity and heat. 3SE, SSE’ joint venture with Shanks Plc, is to provide processed waste-derived fuels for use at the facility from nearby Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster councils.
The planning consent is the culmination of significant consultation and engagement with local residents, community organisations, elected representatives and government agencies.
Enabling works are due to begin in early 2012 with the main construction period commencing in October 2012 and a planned project completion date of early 2015.
The proposal for a multi-fuel plant is not designed to replace the 1,000MW of existing coal capacity closing in 2015, due to the European Large Combustion Plant Directive. SSE said it has yet to decide the future main use of Ferrybridge Power Station.
At present SSE is also currently constructing a trial carbon capture facility at Ferrybridge Power Station, in collaboration with Doosan Power Systems and Vattenfall.
“This multi-fuel CHP plant will be an innovative addition to our generating portfolio and will make an important contribution to ensuring secure energy supplies,” said Rhys Stanwix, SSE’s director of thermal development.
“It will also create approximately 100 full time jobs throughout its operation and its construction will create 300 jobs on site over the next three years,” added Stanwix. “These jobs, along with the additional considerable opportunities for local services and the local community enhancement work we are doing as part of the development will make a substantial contribution to the local area.”
