By Jobs boost after gas power station expansion approved
More than 150 new jobs are to be created after the expansion of the VPI Immingham facility in South Killingholme was approved.
The plans will see a new open cycle gas turbine power station created next to the existing facility on Rosper Road.
North Lincolnshire Council say that the plant, which will include a new natural gas supply pipeline, will help to safeguard permanent jobs.
In addition to up to 150 construction jobs, 15 new roles will be created.
The development is also expected to result in additional opportunities for local businesses.
Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“We warmly welcome this news, which signals a significant investment in North Lincolnshire from VPI Holdings.
“This is a major development that will bring scores of new jobs to the region and make a very real contribution to the local economy.”
VPI Immingham is a combined heat and power plant.
It is one of the largest plants of its type in Europe, and is capable of generating around 2.5% of UK peak electricity demand.
The flexibility of the new turbine means it will be able to respond quickly to shortfalls on the grid, especially at peak times.
It will also provide backup for wind and solar electricity sources, helping the UK move towards a more sustainable energy system.
Project Development Engineer David Theakstone added:
“We are very pleased that the VPI Immingham OCGT power plant was granted development consent by the Secretary of State.
“The Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, which can deliver large amounts of electricity very quickly, will aid the transition to a low carbon future by complementing and providing backup for other intermittent sources of electricity, such as wind and solar, whilst also fulfilling the more general role of helping to maintain grid system stability in the UK.”
Construction will begin early next year, and the facility will be operational by 2023.
