Renewable energy centre tipped for go-ahead

An 18 mega watt renewable energy centre eyed for a former power station site in Derbyshire has been recommended for approval.Vital Energi is seeking the go-ahead for the proposed development on the old site of the Drakelow C Power Station which was decommissioned in 2003 and demolished in 2006.The building has been designed to accept up to approximately 169,500 tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) per annum.If approved, it would provide sufficient renewable electricity to supply approximately 27,000 households annually with renewable electricity; enough for about 60 per cent of all households in the South Derbyshire District.The facility would produce up to 18 Megawatts (MW) of electrical energy and up to 10MW of thermal energy output.The plant would be likely to have a 30-year lifespan and would create approximately 100 jobs during the construction period and 30 jobs when in operation.Derbyshire County Council’s planning committee is due to make a final decision on the application at a virtual meeting of its planning committee on Monday 5 October.