A PLAN for a gas-powered facility for producing low-carbon electricity in Warrington has been given the green light by borough council planners.
The development by AMP Energy Services Ltd involves provision of a Flexible Energy Facility (FEF) on land north of Kerfoot Street – an existing commercial area currently used only for informal parking. It involves containerised gas-powered engines for generating electricity.
The Government aims to achieve “Net Zero” by 2050 and the borough council is also aiming for carbon neutrality and the scheme will support both objectives.
The strategy involves a mix of technologies, including wind, solar, tidal, battery and natural gas-fuelled distributed generation, supporting local and national electricity demand.
But solar, wind and tidal energy do not provide a consistent, steady supply of energy, while demand for power fluctuates over the course of the day, leading to misalignment in supply and demand.
FEFs as those to be built at Kerfoot Street balance the misalignment during periods of high demand, stabilising local supply. They “future proof” the energy grid to meet the Net Zero target by 2050.
Planning officers said the development would be highly visible from public vantage points due to its position at the convergence of two roads. But viewed against a background of existing industrial buildings they would not appear out of place.
The facility would only be used during periods of high demand for electricity and at other times would be shut down.
