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Anglesey Gas Plant - Far to Big - And A Premature Decision

Friends of the Earth Cymru (FOE Cymru) have severely criticised the UK energy minister Helen Liddell and the DTI for giving a government green light (1) to a large 560 MW CCGT (2) gas plant scheme for Rhosgoch on Anglesey. The environmentalists consider that a 560 MW scheme as far to big and inefficient, and the green light announcement is itself premature.

FOE Cymru say that about 250 MW of new capacity would safeguard the jobs at Anglesey Aluminium Metals Ltd (3). Any capacity above that is simply burning off scarce Irish Sea gas resources because the CCGT technology is inefficient (57% compared with 'micro CHP' domestic units efficiency at 85-90%).

The environmentalists also say that the announcement is premature because the Wylfa nuclear power station (850-1000MW) has not been decommissioned (4). Furthermore, minister Stephen Byers indicated earlier this year that no decisions would be made on gas plants until after the new Electricity Trading arrangements have been started in November.

Neil Crumpton, energy spokesperson said:

"Only 250 MW is needed to safeguard jobs at Anglesey Aluminium, so Burlington's 560 MW scheme would simply waste Irish Sea gas resources because of its inefficient CCGT technology. Not only that, Wylfa power station is still in the picture, and the new electricity trading arrangements are due in November, so the timing of the DTI announcement reveals serious flaws in UK energy strategy and climate change commitments."

"A5 560 MW the Anglesey scheme would supply about a quarter of Welsh electrical consumption. Yet about 15% of the Irish Sea gas the scheme burnt would be simply wasted compared to use in more efficient technology. This reflects badly on the Government's energy efficiency and emissions policies."

FOE Cymru point out that there are likely to be better job prospects on Anglesey by investment in offshore renewables and energy efficiency schemes (5). Furthermore, it would be bad planning policy to locate a large gas plant in the rural Rhosgoch area where a tourist/park development would be much more appropriate.

"Gas-fired power stations require minimal operating crews. The UK energy policy that we envisage could create more jobs on Anglesey in offshore renewables, together with smaller more efficient CHP energy parks in Holyhead and Amlwch. The rural Rhosgoch site is far better suited for a tourism development anyway."

FOE Cymru will campaign against planning permission for the 560 MW proposal.

Notes

1) The DTI made an announcement about the Burlington Resources (Irish Sea) Ltd gas power station plan yesterday. The scheme still needs local planning permission from Anglesey County Council.

2) CCGT Combined Cycle Gas Turbines are about 57% efficient in their burning of gas compared to micro CHP at 85-90% - about 30% more efficient.

3) Anglesey Aluminium Metals Ltd require 250 MW (about one eight of Welsh electrical power requirements). The constant secure supply is needed to avoid potentially serious damage to the smelter, the cells 'freeze' if high power is interrupted for more than 30 minutes. In March 1998 Tom Campbell, the Managing Director at AAM Ltd, wrote to FOE Cymru saying that they had considered a gas-fired station adjacent to the smelter but it was found to be uneconomic * at the small turbine size available (2 x 160MW). They also stated then that: 'Analysis of many options showed that a dedicated CCGT station at Porth yr Ogof operated by Magnox Electric plc and adjacent to where AAM obtain power now (Wylfa), offered the best hope of securing a long term future for the smelter.' The proposal was for a 400MW CCGT.

*The forthcoming electricity trading arrangements should penalise inefficient CCGT capacity, so 'economics' should NOT be better for anything above 250 MW.

4) Wylfa nuclear power station has a safety licence which expires in about 4 years. This Porth yr Ogof site already has a dedicated cable connection to the smelter.

5) Offshore windfarms and marine current turbines could create viable construction and servicing jobs in both Holyhead and Amlwch. There are marine current flows around the north of Anglesey of hundreds of megawatts. Renewable technologies are authoritatively estimated to generate significantly more jobs than the almost skeleton crews at highly automated gas plants (1996 NEA Associates study for DTi).