Port of London welcomes plans for new power station

Port of London welcomes plans for new power station
Clean coal plant will be supplied by ships

Plans by RWE npower to build a new power station on the River Thames have been welcomed by the Port of London Authority (PLA).

RWE npower has announced that it will now consult with the local community and interested parties on plans to invest over £1 billion in a state-of-the-art 'cleaner' coal power station on the Thames in Tilbury in Essex. The 1600 megawatt (MW) station will replace its existing coal-fired station near Tilbury. It could be operational by 2014.

Coal and other fuels will be delivered to the new plant in ships using RWE npower's existing modern jetty on the Thames. In 2006, nearly two million tonnes of coal were delivered to the existing Tilbury power station by sea.

Port of London Authority chief executive Richard Everitt said:

"Tilbury power station has been a part of the Port of London for over 50 years. The announcement of plans to invest in a modern new power station using the latest environmental technology will see that relationship continue and is excellent news. The environmental benefits at the heart of the project will be further supported by the supply of fuel to the new plant by ship. Waterborne transport is proven to be the most environmentally sound and sustainable way to transport bulky fuels like coal and biomass.

"The existing Tilbury power station is already a very important port facility on the Thames. This announcement of new investment is therefore good news for the environment; the regional and local economy; for employment; and for the River."