Plans to build the world's biggest biomass power station fuelled by wood chips have been given the go-ahead by the UK Government. The £400 million plant in Port Talbot will have the capacity to power half the homes in Wales and when completed will produce 70% of the Welsh Assembly Government's 2010 renewable energy target. Critics have however expressed concerns regarding the impact the plant would have on health and the environment.
London-based Prenergy Power Ltd will build the plant in the town's docks area and the station will burn about three million tonnes of chippings each year, which would be shipped in. Prenergy claim the use of wood chip as a fuel for electricity generation is recognised as being carbon free as the carbon dioxide released is equal to that absorbed during the growth of the tree, and replanting the trees ensured sustainability.
There has been a long running local campaign against the proposal, with various public meetings, a 7,000 name petition and protesters marching through the town centre. A public inquiry has also been called for. Ted Latham, whose ward overlooks the power station site commented, "Ever since the application was lodged, we have had severe reservations in terms of the impact that it would have on the health and the local environment for people here. Port Talbot is the most polluted area in Wales and is already exceeding EU pollution levels on an all too regular basis. In this particular case, we believe that enough is enough, and there are still too many questions that need answering."
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