Update

October 2011

Following a formal request dated May 3^rd, 2011 from Norfolk County Council (NCC), and in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) 1999, Energy Power Resources Limited (EPRL) has supplied further information in support of the proposed new development of a renewable energy plant at Thetford, Norfolk.  The additional information is required in relation to the previously submitted Environmental Statement in order for NCC to fully assess the potential environmental impact of the new development.

As a result of the request from NCC, EPRL conducted additional surveys and assessments during 2011 and have submitted the additional information as Addenda to the Planning Statement and Environmental Statement.  These documents, along with several others, were submitted to NCC on September 19^th, 2011.

Should you have any queries please contact us at info@thetfordrenewableenergyplant.co.uk

Background

EPRL proposes to develop a biomass combined heat and power station (CHP) on land to the east of the A134, Mundford Road, Thetford.  The new power station would generate 40MWe of electricity by burning biomass including waste wood and poultry litter instead of burning traditional fossil fuels like coal and gas.  EPRL currently operates the existing Thetford Power Station.

Compared to generating energy from a gas-fired plant, Thetford Renewable Energy Plant would cut the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by more than 120,000* tonnes every year, the equivalent of taking more than 45,000 cars off the UK's roads, by burning a renewable fuel in place of traditional fossil fuels. 

The full planning application and supporting documentation (Ref No. C/3/2010/3004) can be viewed by clicking on the following link

http://ptweb.norfolk.gov.uk/planning_applications/v2/PlanAppDisp.aspx?RecNum=6783

The new power station would produce approximately 40MW of green energy for local use, have the ability to provide a heat source for local homes and industry and create jobs, both directly and in-directly through the supply chain.

The site is approximately 11.3 ha in size, and is not subject to any scientific, landscape or historical designations. The development of the site would not result in the loss of any “best and most versatile” agricultural land (grades 1, 2 and 3a).

 Key Benefits:

•        Provide enough green energy to power approximately 68,500 homes

•        Reduced reliance on landfill

•        CHP ready – capable of providing a steam off-take for heat or cooling use in preparation for the planned growth within Thetford

•        Helps to meet the regional and national targets for reducing climate change emissions

•        Air quality improvements, through fewer fossil fuels being burnt to produce electricity

•        Educational opportunities

*Note: this calculation is as a result of generation only and is based on equivalent CO2 emissions from a gas-fired power plant; these numbers would differ for coal as a coal-fired plant would emit approximately 830g of CO2 per kwh compared to approximately 380g from a gas-fired plant.