RWE plans colossal energy centre at Tilbury B

Proposals feature energy storage facility and two gas plants with a combined capacity of up to 2.8GW

RWE has floated plans to create a colossal energy centre on the site of the former Tilbury B power station in Essex.

The proposals feature a combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant with a capacity of up to 2.5GW, the option for an open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) plant with a capacity of up to 300MW, as well as an energy storage facility of an undisclosed size.

RWE has been exploring possibilities for the site since the 1.4GW Tilbury B coal-fired plant was shut down in 2013. The demolition of the power station began in January 2016 and is due to be completed by the end of 2018.

The company said the new development, which will be known as the Tilbury Energy Centre, is part of its strategy to “evolve its existing portfolio across its core regions – developing options to meet future market requirements and tapping into new technologies where viable.”

It said the Tilbury B site is considered “one of the best in the country” for power generation due to its “proximity to London, the National Grid electrical and gas system and cooling water from the River Thames.”

RWE is now beginning the planning process for the development which, due to its size, is a nationally significant infrastructure project and will therefore need to undergo an assessment by the Planning Inspectorate. The final decision on whether to grant a development consent order will be made by the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

The firm will shortly begin consulting on the proposals with stakeholders, including the Planning Inspectorate, local authorities and the public. An application is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by the end of 2018 or early in 2019.

Last month RWE announced plans to undertake a multi-million-pound upgrade of its 400MW combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant in Great Yarmouth.