Biomass Power Station plan scrapped

DONG Energy have scrapped plans to build a power station at Queen Elizabeth Dock.

DONG Energy has reportedly cancelled its plans to build a biomass power station at Queen Elizabeth Dock. The Danish power company has said that "wider strategic decisions" have prompted the surprise move. According to quotes obtained by the BBC the company said:

"The decision to withdraw from the Humber Renewables project is based purely on wider strategic considerations. The company has taken the decision to focus on core activities such as gas-fired power stations and offshore wind developments. Sadly, this means we must withdraw our proposals to build a biomass power station near Hull."

It is a surprising move in light of the fact that DONG Energy representatives had presented the company case for the proposed power station, at a Hull City Council Scrutiny Meeting, only last week (5th October).

The decision will come as a blow to those hoping that the development might have created some local jobs and help towards strategic plans to develop a local renewable energy base of operations on the Humber.

Plans by Associated British Ports to build a deep-water berth at Queen Elizabeth dock are presumed to be still viable, but that development would have also benefited enormously from the DONG proposals.

It is still to be discovered what local people in the HU12 area think about the surprise announcement. However, local concerns had been heightened by the reports that the power station would have stood up to 100 metres high. Local people at the DONG consultation events had previously been told that the power station would have used a water cooling system that would have done away with the need to build unsightly water cooling towers such as those at BP Chemicals which stand at 85 metres high.

The Humber Renewables website set up by the company for consultation and information purposes has already been taken down.

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Public Exhibitions to be held on Biomass Power Station

 
DONG ENERGY has announced the dates and venues for a series of public exhibitions that will give people an opportunity to learn more about its proposals to build a biomass power station near Queen Elizabeth Dock.

The details of the public exhibitions are as follows:

Friday 18th June, 12 noon to 7pm
Central Concourse at Hull Railway Station, HU1 3XQ

Saturday 19th June, 9am to 3pm
Central Concourse at Hull Railway Station, HU1 3XQ

Monday 21st June 12 noon to 7pm
Thorngumbald Village Hall, Main Road, Thorngumbald, Hull, HU12 9NA

Tuesday 22nd June, 12 noon to 7pm
Preston Community Hall, Main Street, Preston, Hull, HU12 8UB

Wednesday 23rd June, 10.30am to 6pm
Hull Kingston Rovers Craven Park Stadium, Preston Road, Hull, HU9 5HE


Friday 25th June, 12 noon to 7pm
Elizabethan Room, The Alexandra Hall, St. Augustines Gate, Hedon, Hull, HU12 8EX

Claus Nørgaard, Project Director, for DONG Energy said:

"There will be displays outlining the proposal and the reasons why we think a new power station on this site is a good idea. People will also be able to learn more about biomass fuel and see real examples of the woodchip and wood pellets we want to use to generate electricity. We hope that everyone will find the events interesting and informative.”

Representatives of the company will be on hand throughout the events so that people can ask questions about any aspect of the project that may be of concern or interest to them. Feedback forms will also be provided so that people can record their views and let DONG Energy know what they think about the proposals.

The public exhibitions form part of an ongoing public consultation that DONG Energy is undertaking for its Humber Renewables Project. People have until Wednesday 30th June 2010 to send in their comments for consideration.

Links: About DONG Energy - Promotional video about the company is available via the Humber Renewables (DONG Energy) website.

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DONG Energy - Humber Renewables Project invites comments.

DONG Energy has published a set of documents inviting public comments on its proposal to build a biomass power station at Queen Elizabeth Dock (see Hedon Blog). The Non Technical Summary is available to view as a Scribd document below:

Non Technical Summary (15 Pages)

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Consultation on new Biomass Power Plant at Queen Elizabeth Dock

DONG ENERGY have produced their Statement of Community Consultation - SCC -  in support of plans for a biomass power generating station near Queen Elizabeth Dock.

The proposed development is considered of national significance which means that special measures to consult and engage local people have to be put in place.

The SCC states how DONG Energy intend to consult people living and working in the vicinity about their proposals. This includes seeking the views and opinions of communities in Hedon, Preston and Paull.

The consultation is about DONG Energy's plans to construct a power station that will use biomass as a fuel to generate electricity. Biomass is a fuel made from a combination of woodchip and wood pellets that will be sustainably sourced from agricultural, timber and forestry operations that create bark, shavings, and sawdust. The biomass is burned under controlled conditions to produce heat, which in turn creates steam to drive turbines which generate electricity.

The proposed power plant would be capable of generating just under 300 megawatts of electricity which DONG Energy claims would be enough power to meet the needs of up to half a million houses.

People and organisations will be invited to give their views on the initial proposals and preferred options. The consultation is not limited to the specific proposals but also the impacts it might have on the local area economy and environment. This will be of interest to local environmental campaigners who have urged a careful approach to news of the biomass plant.

The SCC states DONG Energy's intention to develop a dialogue between them and local people through a programme of briefings, public exhibitions and meetings, through setting up a community liaison group, a freephone number and via a website dedicated to the project.

The consultation is expected to start this month and result in a consultation report being published in August. The SCC is being considered by East Riding Council at a Planning Committee later today.

HU12.net and The Hedon Blog will aim to keep local people updated on the consultation and opportunities to get involved.

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