Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant development consent decision announced
Today, Wednesday 16 February 2022, the application for the Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant has been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The application was for the proposed development comprising of the construction and operation of Gas Reciprocating engines with up to 600 MW electrical capacity and Battery Storage with up to 150 MW electrical capacity.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Thurrock Power Limited on 27 May 2020 and accepted for Examination on 24 June 2020.
Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 16 November 2021.
This is the 106th Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and 65th energy application to have been examined by The Planning Inspectorate within the timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008.
The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Sarah Richards said:
“The Planning Inspectorate has examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them.
“This Examination took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Examining Authority ensured that local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to fully participate.
“The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making their recommendations.”
The decision, the recommendations made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendations are publicly available on the project page of the National Infrastructure Planning website.
ENDS
Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email: <[email protected] >
Notes to editors:
The Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Programme of Projects details the proposals which are anticipated to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as applications in the coming months.