About Hirwaun Power Station
About the
project
ABOUT HIRWAUN POWER STATION
Hirwaun Power Station is situated on the Hirwaun Industrial Estate, approximately 1.3km north east of Rhigos, 2 km west of Hirwaun and 5 km west of Aberdare. The project site (grid ref. SN 938 061) is located on industrial-zoned land previously occupied by an industrial building used for storage and distribution. Hirwaun Power Station is operational.
Hirwaun Power Station supports Great Britain’s energy security. It is used during periods of peak electricity demand and when intermittent renewable technologies are unable to produce the power required to keep the country running – for example when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining.
The station will be operating for up to 1,500 hours a year and plays an important role in supporting the transition to a lower carbon economy. It has the capacity to generate enough instant electricity to power 150,000 households. All efforts are made to ensure Hirwaun Power Station has a minimal impact on the environment during its operation.
The Project
The Hirwaun Power Station project comprises:
- An Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) power peaking plant, also known as a Simple Cycle Gas Turbine, providing up to 299 Megawatts (MW) of electricity.
- An underground pipeline that brings natural gas to the power generation plant from the existing National Gas Transmission System located on the east side of the A4061.
- An underground electrical connection that exports electricity from the power generation plant to the existing Rhigos electricity substation located nearby.
Planning & Consultation
The views of local residents, businesses and other local interest groups were crucial in shaping the final planning application.
To inform its planning application, Hirwaun Power undertook a two stage consultation process: ‘Non-Statutory Consultation’, which began in June 2013, followed by a period of ‘Statutory Consultation’, which began on 17 October 2013 and closed on 28 November 2013. The consultation plan (known as the Statement of Community Consultation and found in key documents) met all legal requirements and was based on a range of advice and guidance.
Following extensive consultation, the project was granted planning permission – known as a Development Consent Order – on 23 July 2015 by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
Environment
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) was undertaken and formed a central part of the application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) in accordance with the Planning Act (2008).
Working with local businesses
The construction phase provided job opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
As part of the construction programme, METLEN, as the main Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, ensured that local businesses had opportunities to tender for relevant workstreams supporting the project.
A ‘Meet the Buyer’ event was held during the construction programme, providing further details on these opportunities and how local suppliers could get involved.
Construction Progress
The construction and commissioning phases have been completed, and Hirwaun Power Station is now operational.
Contact us
If you have an enquiry regarding construction of the power station, please get in touch with the project team using the details below:
Email: HirwaunPower@secnewgate.co.uk or call 01685 706150