The owners of Rugeley B, Engie, announced last month that this coal-fired power station may cease operations this summer due to deteriorating market conditions, with an employee consultation period currently on-going.
Both Amanda Milling, MP for Cannock Chase and Jeremy Lefroy, MP for Stafford questioned The Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Andrea Leadsom MP, about the suitability of the Rugeley B Power Station site as an option for a new gas powered station if the owners decide to close the power station this Summer.
Jeremy Lefroy, Member of Parliament for Stafford, repeated suggestions that the Rugeley B power station site should be considered as a site for a future gas-fired power station. Jeremy Lefroy said: “Given that Rugeley power station, which is coal-fired, is potentially going to close, may I suggest that Rugeley would be an ideal site for a new gas power station.”
The Cannock Chase MP, Amanda Milling, also asked the Minister about the possibility of a gas-fired power station at Rugeley B if the existing power station is closed, outlining the benefits of the site for this use given the existing infrastructure and highly skilled workforce, and where energy generation has been taking place for decades.
Amanda Milling said: “I would like to thank Jeremy for his support raising the profile of the future of the Rugeley B power station. If the power station does close it is important that we look at all options for the site’s re-development – it so well connected that it could be used for a number of uses. The existing infrastructure with National Grid connectivity and a highly skilled workforce with expertise in energy generation means that this site would be an ideal location for a new gas power station. I recently met with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to discuss this as well as various other issues relating to the future of Rugeley B. I will continue to meet with Ministers and the owners of the plant, Engie, about the station and the site’s future.”
Energy Minister, Andrea Leadsom MP, encouraged the site’s owners, Engie, to discuss its plans with the Planning Inspectorate, which can clarify the process for building a new gas plant, and particularly how long it might take to do so. The Minister also paid tribute to the Cannock Chase MP, Amanda Milling, for her “excellent work” in representing those affected by the potential closure of Rugeley B.
Amanda added: “Over the last few weeks I have been in constant talks with the owners and Ministers from various departments about the future of Rugeley B. My initial priority all along has been to provide support for all those affected and I will be visiting the power station next week. If the power station does close we need to look at the options for re-developing the site as quickly as possible. This is one of the issues I have been having talks with all the relevant parties about over recent weeks. The site is incredibly well connected, with excellent infrastructure connectivity, including road and rail links, broadband connectivity nearby and the existing National Grid infrastructure on the site. This means that the site could incorporate multiple uses – including energy generation, business and industrial use as well as housing.”
Amanda has recently met both the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, and the owners of Rugeley B, Engie, and is working to ensure all options are explored for both keeping the station open and, should it close, the speedy re-development of the site.