Proposed Spalding Energy Expansion
InterGen, the owner of Spalding Energy, is looking to expand its existing gas-fired power station on West Marsh Road, Spalding. The proposed expansion, on land directly to the south of the existing Spalding Energy site, represents an investment of approximately £600 million and together with the existing station is expected to generate enough power to serve two million UK homes. We believe this project is critical in view of the electricity shortfall anticipated by around 2015 when many older coal-fired and nuclear plants will have closed or be closing. The proposed expansion will help to address this shortfall and contribute towards ensuring the UK has sufficient energy to meet demand in future years.
Application Process
This application was submitted to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on 31 March 2009, along with a comprehensive Environmental Statement (ES), which looks at all aspects of the proposal in detail, including visual impact, emissions, traffic, noise, flora and fauna, geology, hydrogeology and socio-economics.
During its consideration of the proposed expansion, DECC consulted with a range of organisations including South Holland District Council, Lincolnshire County Council, the Environment Agency and members of the public. Consent was awarded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on 11 November 2010.
InterGen estimates that the existing plant has spent approximately £10 million in the region since operations started more than six years ago, equivalent to around £1.7 million a year. This includes the value of repair, maintenance and supply contracts, as well as community initiatives. The expansion will bring similar economic benefits to the Spalding area, both during the three-year construction period and the operational life of the plant. Combined over the expected 35-year lifetime of the expanded facility, these are likely to reach a total of £107 million. Other benefits will include up to 600 construction jobs during construction and as many as 20 new permanent skilled jobs once the plant is operating.
It is anticipated that construction will commence on the expansion in 2012.
Further Information
The Environmental Statement, is available to download free of charge from below this text, alternatively paper copies (£250), CDs of the full Environmental Statement (£5) and the Non-Technical Summary (free of charge) may be obtained, while stocks last, from Nathan Swankie of ENVIRON UK Limited, 7 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7JY, TEL: 0131 225 9899.
Spalding Energy Expansion Gas Pipeline Application
If you would like any for further information, please call freephone line 0800 1695290 or email SpaldingEnergy@intergen.com.
Spalding Energy Expansion Environmental Statement Volume 1 (804 KB)