Planning consent given to £300m Knottingley power station

The joint venture, Multifuel Energy, has been granted planning permission to start work on a £300m Knottingley power station.

Multifuel (MEL) is a joint venture between SSE and Wheelabrator Technologies, and the site will be located next to the newly-constructed Ferrybridge Multifuel 1 project.

The Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 project will process up to 675,000 tonnes of waste-derived fuels from sources of municipal, and industrial waste. It will produce around 70 megawatts of electricity, enough to power around 160,000 homes, according to the firm.

The Secretary of State granted permission of the site, which will create 500 construction jobs, and 40 full-time operational jobs once commercial operations begin.

MEL claims the power station will boost the local economy through supply chain opportunities worth £300m over the three-year construction phase.

Tom Maillet, director of engineering and operations for Multifuel Energy Ltd. said: “We are delighted that the Secretary of State has made the decision to grant planning permission for the Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 project.

“We believe that the Multifuel 1 project, which is fully operational, and the Multifuel 2 project can make a positive, low carbon contribution to the UK’s electricity supply and help to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

“We believe that these projects represent the next generation of power generation at the Ferrybridge site and will help to generate important economic benefits for the local area. Following a final investment decision, construction is expected to begin in 2016.”