RWE, the parent company of npower, plans to develop the 2,400 MW plant which will also be capable of co-firing up to 10% biomass. The company says the development will reduce carbon emissions intensity by around 22% compared to existing coal-fired units. The station would also be designed to be carbon capture ready.
The scoping study is an early stage in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and once the full EIA has been undertaken a Section 36 application will be made. The new station, which is expected to cost around £2 billion ($4 billion), could be operational by 2014.
The news came as RWE announced is first quarter results, improving its operating result in the first quarter by 35%. Compared to first quarter of 2006 earnings before interest and taxes rose by 29% to €3.2 billion. RWE Power was the division with the strongest increase. However, RWE Energy’s contribution to the result declined. This effect was felt particularly strongly in Germany, where the result decreased by 19% due to network regulation, the company said.
For the full year, RWE anticipates significantly lower growth rates in its operating result.
In related news, RWE shares have jumped on speculation that Electricité de France plans to buy the company, which has a market value of around €46 billion. According to local media reports, representatives of Electricité de France have already met with the German government to discuss the proposed deal, a suggestion denied by those reputedly involved.
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