Electricity generation plant set to power forward

An electricity generation plant could soon be built on vacant land in Knowsley if plans are approved this week.Forsa Energy Gas Holdings Ltd is seeking permission for the construction and operation of the plant comprising a maximum of ten gas generators. A parcel of land at the corner of Marl Road and Woodward Road in the north west corner of Knowsley Business Park, in Kirkby, has been earmarked for the scheme. Also included in the development would be a switch room, transformer and control room.The application states that the purpose of the generating station is to provide back-up electricity generating capacity to meet peaks in demand on the National Grid. This is by burning natural gas to generate electricity, which would be supplied to the grid. The equipment is not designed to be in continuous use but would be called upon occasionally for time periods varying from a few minutes to several hours. The applicant states that it is envisaged that usage would be limited to a maximum of 2,500 hours per year.An officer’s report set to be considered by Knowsley Council’s planning committee recommends granting permission for the plans.”The proposal is acceptable in principle and would be complimentary to surrounding uses in the business park,” the report added.A separate application by Lion Rouge Ltd to build six containerised gas powered generators at the former Syntor Fine Chemicals site on Acornfield Road in Knowsley Industrial Park, has also been recommended for approval ahead of the planning meeting.Knowsley planners meet on Thursday 9 June.