Multifuel Energy Limited (MEL), the joint venture between SSE and Wheelabrator Technologies Inc, will begin consulting on a second multifuel power station at SSE’s Ferrybridge ‘C’ Power Station site over the coming weeks.
Proposals for Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 (FM2), which would have a generating capacity of up to 90MW, are being put forward following the ongoing success of the £300m Ferrybridge Multifuel 1 (FM1) project (pictured), which has created around 300 construction jobs and involved around 30 local companies.
MEL is in the very early stages of putting the new proposals together and will be carrying out thorough pre-application public consultation. At this early stage, it is anticipated that FM2 will be similar in form and scale to FM1, which is due to be operational by summer 2015.
Mark McCarthy, Managing Director of MEL said: “The development of our first multifuel project at Ferrybridge is progressing very well and the level of interest from potential fuel suppliers has demonstrated that there is demand in the market for further waste-derived generating facilities. It is for this reason that we are looking at a second multifuel project in this ideal location.
“We look forward to discussing our early stage plans with the local community over the coming weeks and expect that local businesses will again benefit if the project progresses. With the three-year construction phase of FM1 underway, the local economy will benefit from around £10 million of additional business for local hotels, restaurants and other service providers. We anticipate that similar levels of inward investment will be created by the FM2 proposal as well.”
Public exhibitions are due to be held in the local area over the coming weeks, where local people have the opportunity to find out more about the proposed project.
As part of the consultation, members of the public will be able to talk with the development team and comment on the proposals, which will then feed into the final plans and designs. More information about these events will be publicised in due course.