Plans for a combined heat and power plant at South Hook have been approved today (Thursday) – but the facility may not yet be built.

The development, planned to take place near the South Hook LNG terminal, has been given consent by the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

If built, the plant would include an integrated combined heat and power plant based on combined cycle gas turbine technology including combustion turbine generator(s); heat recovery steam generator(s); steam turbine generator(s); stack for discharge of combustion gases; electrical switchgear; and area reserved for carbon capture.

It would have an installed capacity of up to 500MWe and produce sufficient electricity to both meet the existing LNG terminal’s power needs and to export surplus electricity.

A spokesperson for South Hook Combined Heat and Power (CHP) said: “This marks the culmination of a process which began in early 2012 and involved extensive dialogue and consultation with regulators, local authorities, members of local communities and other interested parties.

“Though an important step in the project development process, the approval of the DCO application does not necessarily mean that the project will proceed to construction.

“It is anticipated that South Hook CHP’s shareholders will make the final investment decision early in 2015.”

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Simon Ridley, said: “The Planning Inspectorate is fulfilling its responsibilities by undertaking thorough, impartial examinations and ensuring full community consultation within statutory deadlines.

“The certainty of knowing when a decision will be made following full consideration of public views provides developers and investors with the confidence needed to plan the infrastructure improvements this country needs to secure future economic growth.”

The application was submitted for consideration on 31 May 2013 and accepted for examination on 27 June 2013.

Following a six month examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, a recommendation was made to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on 23 July 2014.

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