§ Mr. David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Michelin Tyre plc's application to build a new combined heat and power gas-fired power station at their Stoke-on-Trent tyre factory. [84622]
§ Mr. BattleI have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Michelin Tyre plc for construction of a 58 MW gas-fired Combined Heat and Power station at its tyre factory in Stoke-on-Trent Council. The station has also today been given clearance as a gas-fired station under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 and planning permission has been deemed to be granted, subject to 50 planning conditions agreed with the City of Stoke-on-Trent Council. The 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).
Copies of the Press Notice and decision letters are being placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Rolls-Royce Power Venture Ltd's notification to build an open cycle gas turbine power station at Croydon. [84621]
§ Mr. ByersI have decided not to issue a direction under section 14(3) of the Energy Act 1976 to stop Rolls-Royce Power Ventures Ltd. building a new 49MW gas-fired power station at Croydon. In taking my decision I concluded that the contribution to providing future diversity of technology by allowing the commercial demonstration of this innovative development is such that it would have been inappropriate to issue such a direction.
Although new natural gas-fired generation would normally be inconsistent with the Government's energy policy concerns relating to diversity and security of supply, the Energy White Paper indicated that there may be a few exceptional examples which might merit support so as to help provide future diversity of technology. The White Paper also emphasises the importance of long term diversity of technology (together with diversity of fuels and sources of supply) in promoting flexibility and an ability to adapt to an uncertain future. I have concluded that the need for Rolls-Royce's Industrial Trent turbine to be commercially demonstrated, and so ensure the future diversity of technology, is such that it is appropriate for the proposal to be carried out.
Copies of this Press Notice and decision letter are being placed in the Library of the House.