The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has approved development consent for two gas fired power stations in the UK.

The Progress Power Station, located on the Eye Airfield Industrial Estate in mid-Suffolk, and the Hirwaun gas-fired power station, located on the Hirwaun Industrial Estate in South Wales, both have a nominal generating capacity of up to 299 MW.

The sites will operate as 'peaking' plants and provide electricity when there is a surge in demand, or where there is a sudden drop in power being generated from other power plants. Up to 400 jobs will be created through the construction of the plans, with around 30 permanent positions filled once they become operational.

The decisions support the recommendations made by the Planning Inspectorate and follows an examination process which met all the statutory timescales outlined in The Planning Act 2008 (as amended by The Localism Act 2011).

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In total, there are eight gas fired power station applications which have been examined and given development consent, or are currently in the process of being examined under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime.

Welcoming the news, Simon Ridley, Chief Executive, Planning Inspectorate, said: "These applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects are the 40th and 41st to be examined by The Planning Inspectorate. The examinations were undertaken separately, with each having its own appointed Examining Authority, and completed within the statutory timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008.

"Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in the 6 month long examinations. This, together with the certainty of knowing when a decision will be made, provides confidence in the planning process and aids the infrastructure improvements this country needs to secure its energy and future economic growth.

"The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation is publicly available on the National Infrastructure Planning website."

(JP)