E.ON given green light for gas fired power station

E.ON has been given the go-ahead for the construction of a gas fired power station in South Derbyshire.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has given consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the 1,220MW combined cycle gas turbine power station at Drakelow.

As part of the consent, a condition has been included that ensures the carbon capture plant can be retrofitted in the future, if necessary.

Ministers also placed the condition that the necessary plant and pipework should be installed to ensure the station can supply heat in the future.

Malcolm Wicks, minister of state for energy, said: “In consenting to this project I felt it was important that the potential for utilising heat and capturing carbon emissions from the station is kept open, and the necessary equipment is installed."