Speech

Secretary of State response to ESB gas-fired powerplant investment announcement

Secretary of State response to the press notice from ESB announcing investment in a 880MW CCGT gas power plant just outside Manchester

• From: Department of Energy & Climate Change and The Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP
• Published: 28 September 2012

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

• Delivered on: 28 September 2012 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

This announcement by ESB is great news for the UK’s energy security, and a recognition that the Government’s approach to encouraging new capacity is increasingly recognised by investors.

(Edward Davey, Secretary of State)

In response to the press notice from ESB announcing investment in a 880MW CCGT gas power plant just outside Manchester, Edward Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change said:

“Conventional gas fired power generation needs to remain in the energy mix for some time, even as we seek to develop alternative low carbon technologies such as renewables, nuclear and carbon capture and storage. We urgently need to replace some of our ageing coal power stations and gas is relatively quick to build and half as polluting.

“This announcement by ESB is great news for the UK’s energy security, and a recognition that the Government’s approach to encouraging new capacity is increasingly recognised by investors. It’s also great news for the Manchester area in terms of investment and jobs.”

Published 28 September 2012