Ayrshire power station

Ayrshire Power Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Peel Energy submitted a Secton 36 Application for a new multi-fuel power station with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology at Hunterston, North Ayrshire.

The proposed development, located on a site between the existing Clydeport coal handling facility at the Hunterston Terminal and Hunterston B nuclear power plant would have burned both coal and biomass and use highly efficient modern technology with strict emissions control.

The design of the power station is based upon the implementation of demonstration scale CCS technology from start up in line with the latest UK and Scottish Government guidance.

In addition to ultimately capturing 90% of the carbon dioxide produced by the plant, the latest supercritical power station technology will have significantly increased efficiency and so reduced coal consumption by up to 25% compared to existing conventional plants, thereby further reducing CO2 emissions.

It was estimated that the facility could meet the needs of up to 3 million homes.

The proposed development would also create a significant number of jobs in North Ayrshire, employing up to 1,600 people at the peak of construction and approximately 160 on an ongoing basis once the site is up and running.

In June 2012, APL took the decision to withdraw the application for consent due to the level of uncertainty surrounding the ability to secure the necessary financial investment to build the power station in the foreseeable economic climate.