HC Deb 10 December 1998 vol 322 cc261-2W
Mr. Blizzard

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce further decisions on outstanding applications to build new gas-fired power stations. [63809]

Mr. Battle

I have today announced the following decisions:

Coryton Energy Company Limited (InterGen (UK) Ltd.)

A direction has been given under section 14(3) of the Energy Act 1976 that the proposed 750 MW gas-fired generating station at Coryton in Essex may only proceed subject to a condition limiting the use of gas to 10,668 million kilowatt hours (364 million therms) a year. The station already has consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed planning permission.

Medway Power Limited (AES Electric Ltd.)

Consent has been given under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for a 20 MW oil-fired black start facility at the Medway power station in Kent. The facility has also today been given deemed planning permission and (as an oil-fired station) clearance under section 14 of the Energy Act 1976.

Keadby Developments Limited (Scottish Hydro-Electric plc.)

A direction has been given under section 14(3) of the Energy Act 1976 to prevent the building of a 770 MW generating station to be fuelled by natural gas, at Keadby in Lincolnshire.

Barking Power Ltd. (Thames Power Ltd.)

Section 36 consent has not been granted for an open cycle gas turbine generating station (130 MW) and black start facility (24 MW) at the Barking power station. The application will be put on hold unless an interested party satisfies the Secretary of State that it should be determined at this stage.

AES Partington Ltd. (AES Electric Ltd.)

Section 36 consent has not been granted for a 380 MW combined cycle gas turbine generating station at Partington, Old Trafford, Greater Manchester. The application will be put on hold unless an interested party satisfies the Secretary of State that it should be determined at this stage.

InterGen (UK) Ltd.

Section 36 consent has not been granted for a 800 MW combined gas turbine generating station at Spalding in Lincolnshire. The application will be put on hold unless an interested party satisfies the Secretary of State that it should be determined at this stage.

These decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of The Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071). In the case of the decision on Coryton, the partial clearance arose from the unique circumstances and their impact on the interests of the developer.

In cases where section 36 consent has not been granted or a section 14(3) direction given, the Secretary of State would be prepared to review the position, if requested, when the stricter consents policy announced in the White Paper is relaxed.

Decisions on other applications under consideration will be announced in due course.

Copies of the relevant Press Notices and letters are being placed in the Library of the House.

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