Archives: Press Release

The DCO Examination Phase for Watt Power’s Progress Power Project, near Eye concluded in January 2015, and is currently under consideration by the Planning Inspectorate.

In accordance with the statutory DCO timetable, a decision as to whether or not to grant Development Consent Orders to the project is expected from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in mid-July 2015.

Assuming the DCO is granted to the project, it is Watt Power’s intention to enter the Progress Power Project in the UK’s Capacity Market Auction.  Subject to the outcome of the Auction and the project’s financing, Watt Power would expect the plants to commence construction within 12 months of the auction, with commercial operation approximately 18 months later.

The project is in a position to submit an application for a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate and MPL will continue to monitor market conditions to determine the appropriate time for submission.

Millbrook Power (MPL) has made one significant change to the project since it last met the local authorities in November: MPL has chosen to underground the electrical cable connection for its power project, thereby avoiding the need to construct new overhead lines and new transmission towers. The decision to go underground (the gas pipeline connection will also be underground) will significantly reduce the visual impact of the project and has been taken after careful consideration of the views held by local councillors and local people, and MPL’s completion of its technical and environmental studies that have been carried out over the past 12 months.

Nick Johnson, MPL’s Project Manager said: “The local councillors welcomed our decision to go underground with the electrical connection; this follows our decision, last year, to reduce the height of the power station stacks after considering the results of technical studies. The councillors also acknowledged the measures that we will take to minimise other impacts of the power project. Our project is situated on land allocated for development but we have always been mindful of the views of local people, and fully appreciate the local environment and the heritage of the area.”

Jason Longhurst, Director of Regeneration at Central Bedfordshire Council said: “It has been very useful to have been engaged early in this important development and we’re pleased that Millbrook Power has provided changes to reduce the visual impact of the development.”

Millbrook Power intends to submit its application to the Planning Inspectorate before the end of March and there should then follow a six month period of examination during which time the local councils and other interested parties can express their views.

Subject to the outcome of the Planning Inspectorate’s examination process and the Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change granting a Development Consent Order, the Millbrook Power project could enter commercial operation in 2019/2020.

Notes to editors:

1. The underground electrical connection will export the electricity that is generated by the power plant via a new sub-station into the National Grid. The underground gas pipeline will deliver natural gas, the power station’s only fuel source, from the UK national gas transmission system to the power generation plant.
2. The £200m MPL project was first announced in May 2014. Since then, MPL’s technical and environmental studies have considered a range of issues such as noise, air quality, visual impact, ecology and transport. In addition, MPL has publicised its plans via various channels, consulted the local councils in the area and a range of other interested parties and held two series of public exhibitions.
3. Subject to planning and financing, construction of the project could start in 2017/2018 for a 2-3 year period. The plant (up to 299MW capacity) will only run at times when electricity demand is at its highest, mainly during the winter months, and on those occasions when there is intermittent output from renewable sources of energy, primarily wind and solar.
4. The project would be a substantial and long-term investment in the area, seeing the creation of around 150 construction jobs, up to 15 permanent skilled jobs and potential business opportunities for local companies. MPL is consulting Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Councils on ways to bring wider social and environmental benefits to the surrounding area.
   For further information, please visit https://www.drax.com/about-us/our-projects/millbrook-power/

“We have met Dr Poulter on a number of occasions to discuss our proposed project, which is presently being considered by the Planning Inspectorate. We have explained to Dr Poulter and the Planning Inspectorate our reasons for choosing the airfield site for the location of the gas-fired power station, which in principle the local authorities support.

“We have also explained our reasons for the location of the substation, and outlined the work that we will undertake to minimise its visual impact, including the undergrounding of the necessary electrical connection. In addition, we have outlined our initiatives to bring wider benefit to the local area, whilst working with the local councils.

“If our project is approved and built, it will help deliver the Government’s energy and environment policies.”

This period was designed to attain feedback from the public and relevant organisations about the proposal. The Millbrook Power team received a range of comments from local residents, local businesses, local councillors as well as the relevant planning authorities and other local and national organisations that have an interest in the Project.

During this consultation period, four public exhibitions were held in Stewartby, Lidlington, Ampthill and Marston Moretaine. These exhibitions, attended by around 175 people, provided the public with information on the Project and the developments of the proposal, as well as the opportunity to ask questions to the Millbrook Power team who were present at the events. Significantly, these exhibitions provided opportunity for local residents to provide us with feedback.

The exhibitions were advertised locally and a leaflet about the Project, which included a feedback form, was delivered to households and businesses in the area surrounding the site at Rookery South Pit.

Chris McKerrow and Nick Johnson, the Director and Manager of the Millbrook Power Project respectively, also gave a talk to sixth form students at Kimberley College on the Future of Energy in the UK. Amongst other things the talk explained the need for projects such as this, and described the Project and the work that we are doing to bring it forward.

Now that the period of consultation has ended, the Millbrook team are collating the information received and finalising certain aspects of the design accordingly, taking account of any concerns raised by the public during consultation. Documentation for our submission to the Planning Inspectorate is also being prepared, such as the Environmental Statement and our Consultation Report, which will be available to the public once the submission has been made. The submission is expected in the first quarter of next year.

In the meantime, Millbrook Power will continue to liaise with Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council, as well as the local parish councils in the area to ensure they are fully informed of the Project’s evolution and status.

This period was designed to attain feedback from the public and relevant organisations about the proposal. The Millbrook Power team received a range of comments from local residents, local businesses, local councillors as well as the relevant planning authorities and other local and national organisations that have an interest in the Project.

During this consultation period, four public exhibitions were held in Stewartby, Lidlington, Ampthill and Marston Moretaine. These exhibitions, attended by around 175 people, provided the public with information on the Project and the developments of the proposal, as well as the opportunity to ask questions to the Millbrook Power team who were present at the events. Significantly, these exhibitions provided opportunity for local residents to provide us with feedback.

The exhibitions were advertised locally and a leaflet about the Project, which included a feedback form, was delivered to households and businesses in the area surrounding the site at Rookery South Pit.

Chris McKerrow and Nick Johnson, the Director and Manager of the Millbrook Power Project respectively, also gave a talk to sixth form students at Kimberley College on the Future of Energy in the UK. Amongst other things the talk explained the need for projects such as this, and described the Project and the work that we are doing to bring it forward.

Now that the period of consultation has ended, the Millbrook team are collating the information received and finalising certain aspects of the design accordingly, taking account of any concerns raised by the public during consultation. Documentation for our submission to the Planning Inspectorate is also being prepared, such as the Environmental Statement and our Consultation Report, which will be available to the public once the submission has been made. The submission is expected in the first quarter of next year.

In the meantime, Millbrook Power will continue to liaise with Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council, as well as the local parish councils in the area to ensure they are fully informed of the Project’s evolution and status.