PLANS ARE being developed for a new low carbon combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station in Deeside.

The new power station at the Uniper site, Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power will be fitted with carbon capture technology to capture CO2 emissions.

The proposed power station would connect into nearby CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure as part of the HyNet industrial cluster, enabling the captured CO₂ to be transported to permanent offshore storage facilities in repurposed depleted offshore gas fields.

Uniper will be inviting local residents, councils and other organisations to attend public information events about the project.

These events will give local people the opportunity to understand more about the plans and also meet the project team.

A detailed planning application is then due to be submitted later this year.

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Dedicated to accelerating the energy transition, Uniper aims for its installed power generating capacity to be more than 80% zero-carbon by 2030, whilst at the same time meeting the challenge of a reliable decarbonised electricity supply.

According to the UK’s independent advisor on climate change, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), demand for electricity is forecast to increase by 50% by 2035.

To meet this increasing demand and achieve the UK’s decarbonisation goals, a range of different technologies with both renewables and decarbonised flexible generation, such as gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS), will be needed to maintain a secure and stable supply of electricity.

Uniper say that the proposed new power station with carbon capture technology at Connah's Quay is an important part of addressing that challenge.

If consented and developed, the project would bolster energy security by providing flexible electricity generation and ensuring a reliable supply to the electricity grid, as and when needed.

Uniper’s plans are for a potential capacity of up to 1.1GW of low-carbon power, developed in two phases each of 550MW.

From completion of phase one, the project could supply enough electricity to power the equivalent of up to 1.4 million homes a year. Phase one could potentially be operational by 2030.

The Connah's Quay Low Carbon Power project will not only generate low carbon electricity but could also help to maintain economic prosperity in Deeside and across the region, and retain approximately 60 high-skilled jobs, as well as creating new opportunities during construction and through the wider supply chain.

Helen Rogers, Connah's Quay Low Carbon Power Project Manager for Uniper, said: "The Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power project would enable us to continue to reliably and efficiently generate electricity when it is needed, contributing to future security of supply.

"It would also help to retain around 60 permanent jobs as well as helping to safeguard jobs in the wider area. I’d like to encourage people to come along to the public information events to find out more about our plans for the site."

Public Information Events will take place on the following dates: 

  • Online webinar on Wednesday, February 28 (6pm to 7pm).
  • Connah’s Quay Cricket Club on Saturday, March 2 (1pm to 5pm)
  • Flint Town Hall on Monday, March 4 (4pm to 8pm)
  • Online webinar on Tuesday, March 5 (1pm to 2pm) 
  • Conference centre, Coleg Cambria Deeside on Wednesday, March 6 (1pm to 5pm)