First look at £80 million power plant plans
Plans for a new £80 million power plant near Welshpool have been unveiled.
Broad Energy (Wales) Ltd is proposing to create the Buttington Quarry Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) which it says could provide heat and electricity to around 8,000 homes and businesses.
The company – with offices in Shrewsbury – said it will also create 30 skilled jobs and up to 150 short-term jobs during construction.
It will process 100,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste.
The plans that aim to secure the future of the former brickworks site and quarry, while helping towards achieving Welsh Government objectives on waste reduction, went on public view at Welshpool Livestock Sales, Buttington Cross, Welshpool, yesterday.
A spokesman for Broad Energy (Wales) said: "We need to look at better ways of dealing with our non-recyclable waste.
"The proposed ERF would process about 100,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste which would otherwise be sent to landfill.
"It would produce approximately nine mega watts of electricity and provide heat and hot water to nearby businesses.
"Outline details of the proposals were unveiled to residents and businesses at the public exhibition.
"Members of the project team were available to discuss the proposals and answer questions.
"Feedback from this consultation process will be used to help inform the final design and assessments. Once the planning application is submitted there will be a period for consideration and consultation by the local planning authority."
The plant would generate electricity and provide heat and hot water to nearby businesses, displacing some power produced by fossil fuels.
Carole Riley of Broad Energy (Wales) Ltd said a planning application will be submitted to Powys County Council early next year.
She said renewable heat in the form of hot water could be supplied to tenants at a future eco-business park and the nearby Offa's Dyke Business Park.
"A number of statutory organisations will be asked for their views, such as Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and interested local stakeholders," she said.
There are also plans to include the creation of a biodiversity area around the existing geological site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), located within the quarry, facilitating educational visits from students at local schools and colleges.
Residents and local organisations who want details can call a freephone number 0800 169 5290.
