31 January 2007 00:00
E.ON UK invites residents to find out more about proposals for new gas storage facility in East Yorkshire
Local residents are being invited to hear more about E.ON UK’s proposals for an underground gas storage facility north of Aldbrough at the company’s third public exhibition to be held next week.
E.ON UK, the company that runs Powergen, has been developing proposals for the new facility and, following feedback from the local community and councillors, submitted a planning application to East Riding of Yorkshire Council earlier in January.
The exhibition will be held at Aldbrough Village Hall on Friday 9th February between 10am and 8pm and on Saturday 10th February between 9am and 4pm.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet and talk directly to the project team and the full application documents will be available to view.
Derick Cottell, Gas Storage Manager at E.ON UK, said: “We’re committed to working with the community and all local stakeholders in developing this project.”
“The exhibition is going to be a great opportunity for people to see how our proposals have developed and tell us what they think of our plans.
“We want to address any concerns that residents may have, highlight the potential benefits the scheme could bring to the area and let people know what the next steps are in the planning process.”
The facility would consist of underground storage caverns built more than a mile underground, with the caverns having the capacity to hold the amount of gas used by the whole of the UK on a cold winter’s day.
The site for the proposed gas processing plant at Whitehill Farm was chosen for its excellent natural screening. Additional landscaping and a traffic management plan will be agreed with the council if the application is successful.
“There’s an urgent need for more gas storage in the UK to make our supplies more secure and this project will be a step towards this,” said Derick.
If the scheme gets the green light, construction is expected to start in late 2007, with the first phase of the facility expected to come on line in 2010 and all work to be complete by 2012.
A minibus service will be available for Withernwick and Aldbrough residents who would like to attend the exhibition but are unable to make their own way there.
Local residents can formally comment on the proposals to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. E.ON’s Community Relations team would also welcome any comments and can be contacted on freephone 0800 3777 345.
Further information about the application and a copy of the Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement can be found at: www.eon-uk.com/whitehill.
The application documents are also available to view at the council’s Customer Services Centres in Beverley and Hornsea, at Aldbrough Post Office or by contacting Aldbrough or Withernwick Parish Council Clerks
Ends
Notes to editors:
• E.ON UK submitted the scoping application to East Riding of Yorkshire Council in August;
• E.ON UK is the UK’s largest integrated power and gas company – generating, distributing and retailing electricity – and is part of the E.ON group, the world's largest investor-owned power and gas company.
• Our retail business, Powergen, is a leading energy supplier in the UK, with around 8.5 million electricity and gas customer accounts.
• We generate 10% of the UK’s electricity from our portfolio of world-class coal, gas and renewable power stations;
• Through Central Networks, we deliver a reliable supply to 4.9 million customers across central England, through enough underground and overhead cable to go four times round the world;
• Our Trading arm trades electricity and gas in the UK, ensuring that price volatility is minimised;
• We are sponsoring The FA Cup, which is known as The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON.
For further information contact:
Emily Highmore on 02476 183680
Ellie King on 02476 183678
A selection of E.ON UK images is available free of charge to the media by registering at www.newscast.co.uk.
Media invite:
There will be the opportunity for interviews on Saturday 10th February. Please contact Emily Highmore for further information.