Outcomes of the Non-Statutory Consultation
We are pleased to be able to share the outcomes of the recent non-statutory consultation for our Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power project.
During the consultation period, we received feedback and insights from various stakeholders, including community members, the local authority and environmental organisations. We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to those who have participated in the consultation so far.
Your insights, feedback, and suggestions will be invaluable as we continue to develop the project .
About the Project
Uniper is exploring the potential development of a new gas-fired power station with carbon capture technology at our Connah’s Quay site which would be capable of providing around 1.1GW of low carbon power. The proposed new power station would be developed in two phases, each with a capacity of around 550MW.Our Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power Project forms part of a long-term replacement strategy for our existing unabated power station and if realised, the new combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station could be operational by 2030. An initial 550MW would be enough low carbon electricity to power up to 1.4 million homes a year.
The development of a new low carbon power station at Connah’s Quay could create opportunities during the construction phase and once it becomes operational, help to retain around 60 permanent jobs as well as helping to safeguard jobs in the wider area.
Listening to the local community
Between Monday 26 February 2024 to Monday 25 March 2024, we held our first stage of consultation, writing to over 20,000 addresses in the local area.
The purpose of this round of consultation was to:
- share and explain the proposals with a wide range of our stakeholders and people in the local community at an early stage;
- gain insight through listening to the views of local communities and other stakeholders about the project proposals at an early stage; and
- to identify any potential impacts of the project and take stakeholder and community input into account in developing potential mitigation strategies.
More details on our proposals, including the information we presented during our first stage of consultation, can be found on the consultation website.
Key Findings
We received over 50 pieces of feedback during this consultation, and we are grateful to everyone who took the time to tell us what they think of the proposals.
The consultation highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and transparency with the local community. The majority of respondents – over 90% – described the consultation as informative and accessible, a sentiment we hope to maintain for the next stage of the consultation.
We were delighted to see growing support for the project, with respondents consistently showing a neutral to positive sentiment towards the proposals. Only 15% of responders disagree that the UK should build new low carbon power stations to ensure security of supply and, notably, 61% expressed support or are impartial towards a new power station at our Connah’s Quay site.
Still, there was some uncertainty expressed about whether the site location itself was suitable – 23% of people stated that they do not believe that Connah’s Quay is a suitable location for a new low carbon power station. We hope to be able to share more information and address these queries at our next consultation.
Around 30% of responders expressed apprehension about potential disruptions associated with construction activities and increased traffic in the area. We aim to provide further information and address these inquiries during our upcoming consultation.
Concerns were raised regarding potential impacts on biodiversity in the nearby Deeside Nature Reserve. We are proud of the role we play in maintaining the Nature reserve and are committed to working closely with local stakeholders. We will be undertaking a full Environmental Impact Assessment and we will share the results of the initial Preliminary Environmental Information Report at the next consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Uniper?
Uniper is an international energy company with activities in more than 40 countries and has roughly 7,000 employees worldwide. In the UK, Uniper owns and operates a flexible generation portfolio of seven power stations, a fast-cycle gas storage facility and two high pressure gas pipelines, from Theddlethorpe to Killingholme and from Blyborough to Cottam. Uniper intends to be completely carbon-neutral by 2040 and aims for its installed power generating capacity to be more than 80% zero-carbon by 2030.
What are Uniper’s plans for decarbonisation?
Uniper’s strategy is to secure a reliable energy supply whilst accelerating the energy transition. To achieve that goal, we have committed to invest €8 billion into growth and transformation projects between 2023 and 2030. This includes developing new renewables projects, investing in clean gases such as hydrogen, and new low or zero carbon power plants and by progressively transforming our existing fleet into Europe’s leading source of zero-carbon power.
When will you be submitting a planning application?
Proposals to develop a new low carbon power station at Connah’s Quay are at a very early stage. We have started a process of consultation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including national agencies, local authorities, businesses, community groups and local residents. Your feedback will help us to shape our proposals before we submit our application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), which we expect to complete later in 2024.
How will you engage with the local community?
Uniper has a long-standing presence at Connah’s Quay and understands the importance of being a good neighbour. To ensure local people are consulted on our proposals, we have agreed a programme of public consultation with the local planning authority – Flintshire County Council. This consultation programme will provide an opportunity for people in local communities and our stakeholders to ask questions and provide feedback on our proposals, and where possible, will help to inform our planning application.
Next Steps
The feedback received during this early consultation is being reviewed and analysed to understand key themes and issues of importance from stakeholders.
Having taken onboard this initial information and stakeholder feedback, we will be able to prepare a more advanced design for the project, with greater detail, including information about how potential impacts have been assessed and how we plan to manage or mitigate them.
We will then conduct a round of formal statutory consultation to provide you with a formal opportunity to comment on our updated proposals prior to the submission of our planning application. This is anticipated to take place later this year, and we will be in touch with more information in due course.
You can also register for project updates via email on our consultation website.
Contact Details
Website: https://uniperuk.consulting/cqlcp/
Email: info@connahsquaylcp.co.uk
Telephone: 0800 0129156
Post: FREEPOST CQLCP (no stamp required)
About Uniper
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Press enquiries regarding Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power
Debra Knott
UK: Press Manager
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