Natural gas power site set for approval

Plans to develop a site with gas generators capable of powering up to 40,000 homes are poised to be approved after the application received a positive recommendation from planners.Under the application from Plutus Energy, 20 self-contained natural gas engine driven electricity generators for the provision of flexible electricity generation will be installed on the site in Woodbury, East Devon.The plans also include provision for two switch rooms, one gas governor, a transformer and four metre high acoustic fence and landscaping, including a screening bund.Currently storage land next to a substation, the site is around a kilometre from Woodbury itself.If the plans are approved, the development will be used to provide extra power at peak times.The report to be considered by East Devon District Council’s development management committee reads. The purpose of the development is to provide additional power at peak times, rather than to be generating power the whole time. The Design and Access Statement states that the most likely period of operation is 1700 to 1900 hours during October to February. The Design and Access statement confirms that the intended operational life of the proposal is 25 years.East Devon District Council’s development management committee meets on Tuesday 3 September.