E.ON to build Derbyshire power plant

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The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has granted approval for E.ON UK to build a 1,200MW gas-fired power station

The

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

(BERR) has granted approval for

E.ON UK

to build a new 1,200MW gas-fired power station at Drakelow in Derbyshire.

According to E.ON UK, the announcement means that construction at the site of the former coal-fired power station could start as early as next year with full commercial operation expected early in 2011.

Drakelow power station will consist of three high-efficiency, low carbon emission units that will produce enough power for around one million homes.

Dr Paul Golby, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said: ‘This new station, combined with the billions of pounds we're investing in new renewables and coal developments, shows our commitment to tackling the twin challenges of ensuring security of power supply for the UK and the global threat of climate change.’

E.ON has plans to invest £3bn in the UK over the next three years. The company has submitted a S36 application to build two new supercritical coal units at Kingsnorth in Kent and has recently put in a scoping statement to statutory consultees to build a dedicated renewable energy plant in Sheffield.