About Hirwaun Power Station
About the
project
ABOUT HIRWUAN POWER STATION
Hirwaun Power Station will be 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 currently occupied by an industrial building used for storage and distribution. The power station is due to enter commercial operation during 2024.
Hirwaun Power Station will help support Great Britain’s energy security. It will be 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 isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining. It will not operate more than 1,500 hours a year and as such, Hirwaun Power Station will help the country to transition to a lower carbon economy. It will have the capacity to generate enough instant electricity to power 150,000 households. All efforts will be made to ensure Hirwaun Power Station has a minimal impact on the environment during its construction and operation.
The Project
The Hirwaun Power Station project will comprise:
- A new Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) power peaking plant, also known as a Simple Cycle Gas Turbine, designed to provide up to 299 Megawatts (MW) of electricity.
- The construction of a new underground pipeline to bring natural gas to the power generation plant from the existing National Gas Transmission System located on the east side of the A4061.
- The construction of a new underground electrical connection to export electricity from the power generation plant to the existing Rhigos electricity substation located nearby.
Planning & Consultation
The Hirwaun Power Station project will comprise:
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
Construction is expected to take approximately 24 months and will provide job opportunities during construction for more than 150 skilled and semi-skilled workers. As part of the construction programme, ΜΥΤΙLINEOS as the main Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor is committed to ensure that local businesses have every opportunity to tender for relevant work streams they can support the project on. We will hold a ‘Meet The Buyer’ event in the local area early in the construction programme to provide more details on these opportunities and how suppliers can get involved.
Construction Progress
Construction/commissioning works will last 24 months in total, with the power station due to enter commercial operation in April 2024.
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