ScottishPower Proposes Changes for Damhead Creek 2 Plant in U.K.

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--ScottishPower Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland), part of Spanish energy major Iberdrola S.A. (BMAD:IBE) (Bilbao, Spain) has submitted revised plans for an already green-lit 1,800-megawatt (MW) combined cycle gas-turbine (CCGT) power plant near Rochester in Kent, England.

The company has applied to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to add 300 MW of Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) peaking plant capacity without changing the already permitted capacity of 1,800-MW for the Damhead Creek 2 project. The company said the addition will allow the new plant to better react to changes in U.K. electricity demand. The firm also submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

Damhead Creek 2 (DHC2) constitutes Phase II of the Damhead Creek power generation development and will be located on land next to the existing operational Damhead Creek CCGT power station. Industrial Info reported on the original permission grant in 2011, which was for a 1,000-MW plant, but this has been increased twice since then. For additional information, see January 27, 2011, article - ScottishPower Wins Approval for Kent Gas-Fired Power Plant.

"Since the issuing of this consent, ScottishPower has been in discussion with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) regarding the project, and it has emerged that as a result of technological advances and increased efficiency there is the possibility of increasing generated output," the company stated. "This is in order to respond to market demand for fast response electricity generation to grid to support renewables deployment in the U.K.."

It added: "ScottishPower are seeking... flexibility in the make-up of the plant to include up to 300 MW of OCGT. The proposed development therefore now comprises a CCGT/OCGT power station with a total combined electrical capacity of up to 1,800 MW. This application to vary the consent retains the option of constructing the already consented 1,800 MW CCGT-only scheme option but also includes provision of up to 300 MW as part of that capacity as OCGT units, with the CCGT capacity correspondingly reduced, such that the combined output remains at 1,800 MW."

The project will cost around £1.2 billion ($1.7 billion) to build. It is expected to kick -off next spring and be commissioned in late 2020.

Last month, ScottishPower closed the Longannet power plant in Fife after 46- years of service, bringing an end to coal-fired power in Scotland. For additional information, see March 25, 2016, article - Scotland Shuts Last Coal-Fired Power Plant.

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