Posted: Wed 9th Oct 2024

Public urged to have say on Connah’s Quay low carbon power station project

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales

Earlier this week, Uniper announced that its Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power (CQLCP) project had passed the Government’s deliverability assessment, allowing the project to progress to the next stage of development.

If consented and constructed, the proposed power station would connect to the nearby HyNet CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure—part of a major decarbonisation project in the North West and North Wales. It combines carbon capture and hydrogen production to reduce emissions and support the UK’s net-zero goals.

HyNet will see CO₂ stored in the depleted oil and gas fields of Liverpool Bay, managed by Eni UK.

Flintshire will play a crucial role, with Eni’s terminal being repurposed to pump CO₂ into sandstone reservoirs.

The pipeline, which will stretch 60.4 km from Cheshire to Flintshire, will incorporate both newly constructed sections and repurposed existing natural gas pipelines.

Around 36.4 km of the pipeline will be newly built, running underground at depths between 2.5 and 6 metres, with the largest new-build section stretching 32 km from Stanlow to Flint.

Uniper has now launched a public consultation on its plans to build a new combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station equipped with carbon capture technology at its site in Connah’s Quay.

The plant could be operational by 2030 and would be constructed in two phases, ultimately generating enough power to supply up to 1.4 million homes annually.

Addressing Public Concerns and Environmental Impact

Uniper conducted a non-statutory consultation earlier this year to gather initial feedback from the community.

Following that, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is currently underway to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the project and propose measures to manage or mitigate them.

The statutory public consultation, which runs from 8th October to 19th November 2024, invites further feedback from local residents, councils, and stakeholders.

Helen Rogers, Project Manager for CQLCP at Uniper, highlighted the importance of local engagement: “The Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power project would enable us to continue to reliably and efficiently generate electricity when it is needed, contributing to the future security of supply as well as contributing to economic growth in the region. I’d like to encourage anyone who is local to the site to come along to the public information events to find out more about our plans.”

Ensuring Future Energy Security

As the UK transitions towards a more electrified economy, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has forecast a 50% increase in electricity demand by 2035, with demand potentially doubling by 2050.

Uniper’s proposed low-carbon power station would help meet this growing demand by providing a flexible and reliable energy source.

The captured CO₂ from the plant would be transported and stored in offshore facilities via the HyNet industrial cluster, a key component in the region’s decarbonisation infrastructure.

Opportunities for Public Engagement

Uniper is hosting a series of public information events, both online and in person, to give the community an opportunity to learn more about the project and ask questions.

The events will provide insight into the project’s design and environmental considerations, while also allowing attendees to meet the project team.

Public Information Events Schedule:

  • Saturday 19th October (Online Webinar): 11:00-12:00
  • Tuesday 22nd October (Online Webinar): 13:00-14:00
  • Wednesday 23rd October (Coleg Cambria, Deeside): 16:00-20:00
  • Saturday 26th October (Flint Town Hall): 11:00-16:00
  • Monday 4th November (Online Webinar): 18:00-19:00
  • Thursday 7th November (Connah’s Quay Cricket Club): 13:00-18:00

For more details on how to participate or submit feedback, visit the project’s dedicated consultation website: Uniper Consultation.

 

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