Abergelli Power is planning to build a £200m gas-fired power station at Abergelli Farm, south of Felindre, adjacent to the National Grid Gas Compressor Station and to the north of the M4 motorway.
According to Abergelli Power, the new power station could produce around 299 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to supply the equivalent of around 400,000 homes and, additionally, will generate millions of pounds for the economy of south west Wales.
The project and its related energy infrastructure have been designed to operate flexibly with a low number of emissions. The firm is expecting electricity production up to 1,500 hours per year.
The new power station is expected to strengthen and secure the UK’s energy supply by providing back up to intermittent energy from renewable sources, primarily wind and solar.
The proposed project could create 150 construction and commissioning jobs, and up to 15 full-time, skilled jobs once the power station is fully operational.
Norman Campbell, Abergelli Power’s project director said: “This power station will be an ultra modern and clean facility and a very significant investment in the local economy. We will do our utmost to ensure that the power plant will cause the minimum disturbance locally, during construction and subsequent operation. Its operation will be subject to stringent environmental and emission regulations.
“We will seek to maximise local economic benefit where we can, both during construction and operations.
“Before seeking permission to build the plant, there will be an extensive consultation process with City and County of Swansea Council and with local people and interest groups. This is extremely important to us, as we want to explain our plans in detail and listen to what people have to say,” he added.
Consultation with local communities and organisations such as City & County of Swansea Council and the community councils in the vicinity of the site will be an integral part of the planning process for the project. As part of the planning application, detailed environmental impact assessments and technical studies will also be carried out over the coming months.
According to Mr Campbell, following consultation and feedback from communities and interest groups, the firm will submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate in early 2015.
Photo Source: BBC
