Power plant seeking to provide peak performance
APOWER plant that will bridge the gap between fossil fuel and renewable sources could be built in south Wales.
The proposed £12m gas-fired peaking plant at Southbrook Farm in Sudbrook, Monmouthshire, would provide electricity to the local area during times of peak demand.
It is anticipated that the standby generating station will have capacity to create around 20 megawatts (MW) of energy from 10 40ft containerised Combine-Cycle Gas Generator Sets on land at the farm in Sudbrook Road, which adjoins an existing solar farm.
The site could be operational by
October 2020, with permission to run for up to 30 years, until a “longer-term strategy” is put in place.
Government grants are supporting such initiatives and the project is considered one of national importance by the Welsh Assembly.
The land and planning permission for a power plant has been secured by Durham-based Platinum Energy Solutions (PES), which is part of the Platinum Assests Group, based in Chester-le-Street.
Peter Eagle, managing director at PES, said: “A new phase for the sector is now under way and we are seeing the most innovative and ambitious project developers diversifying into these new areas. By harnessing optimisation services, they are able to ensure that they can compete to supply the balancing and ancillary services now required by National Grid.
“While battery storage is perhaps the most obvious form of diversification for independent generators, investing in gas ‘peakers’ and other forms of flexible generation has been one of the key trends we’ve observed during the past year.”
Chairman of Platinum Assets Tony Hughes added: “£36.6m was invested by existing energy entrepreneurs in peaking plants that delivered electricity during 2018 – a significant proportion of the £106.9m total investment in gas peakers that delivered last year. We are hoping to make significant returns to our investors with our unique model of delivering these assets.
“As one of only three plants consented in Wales, we are hopeful that we are leading the race in harnessing the technology and natural resources available to help with the transition from large-scale coal- and gas-burning power plants to renewable technologies.”