A REPORT to Blaenau Gwent’s planning committee this Thursday has recommended granting permission for a gas power plant to be built in Ebbw Vale.

Waun-y-Pound Industrial Estate in Ebbw Vale could see the addition of a 16 megawatt gas-fired power plant, designed to provide reserve power to the National Grid when demand is high.

The proposal is one of eight planning applications for reserve power plants across the county borough which were received by the council’s planning department in November last year.

The report, compiled by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s service manager department, said the short-term operating reserve (STOR) power plant would only be used at times of network “stress”. It is estimated the plant will be used for around 60 to 90 minutes every two to three days, or around 300 hours a year.

The plant would become one of many across the country which produce small amounts of electricity quickly and at short notice when the National Grid has a shortfall.

If passed, the power plant would take six months to build, employing eight construction staff, who will be sourced locally.

The plant would include a 938 square metre building housing exhaust flues and an engine generator as well as an external plant with outdoor cooler radiators, a reception kiosk and car parking. The entire site would be enclosed with a 2.4 metre high security fence.

But local councillors, including Councillor Derek Coughlin of Ebbw Vale North, have raised objections, including concerns the fence would be unsightly and whether there could be noise pollution or fuel leaks.

Cllr Brian Scully said he supported Cllr Coughlin’s objections, adding he does not want Blaenau Gwent to be a “soft option” when granting planning permission to power plants.

Cllr Scully said: “I’m not on the planning committee, but I think there is concern here.

“We have to be satisfied that these emissions are not going to do any members or the public or employees harm.”

But the report said the impact on environmental, social and economic factors had been carefully assessed, after consulting various environmental bodies.