A NEW consultation exercise is being carried out into plans by energy giant ScottishPower to build a gas-fired power station near Severn Beach.

If it gets the go-ahead, the Avon Power Station will provide enough electricity to meet the domestic needs of more than three million homes.

The 1,800 megawatt power station plant is set to occupy the former Terra Nitrogen/Growhow site on Severnside and is aimed at helping to replace the ageing fleet of UK power plants that are nearing the end of their operating life.

ScottishPower first revealed its proposals in 2011, as reported in the Gazette at the time, and followed up the announcement with a period of consultation.

The company said since completing that exercise, further site assessment and studies had been undertaken.

While its proposals were very similar to those outlined nearly four years ago, it said the timing of its consultation stages and expected submission of the scheme had changed.

It had also increased the capacity of the project due to technology advances and was clearer on the proposed gas and grid connections required.

That had resulted in the need for a new phase of consulting interested parties and individuals.

ScottishPower said: “Once finalised, we will be announcing plans for stage two consultation later this year.

“We recognise that the development of additional power generation at Severnside may provide economic opportunities for the local community and that there are also potential wider environmental, transport and community impacts that must be identified, analysed and mitigated where necessary.”

ScottishPower spokesman Paul Ferguson said: “The electrical output capacity will be generated from up to two units of combined cycle gas turbines, including up to 300MW capacity of fast response generators to provide flexible generating plant to meet peak UK electricity demand.

“The power station could provide electricity sufficient to supply the needs of in excess of three million homes based on typical consumption levels.”

As the scheme is regarded as nationally significant, ScottishPower has to apply for consent to the independent Infrastructure Planning Commission, which will consider the proposal on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The minister will then decide if it should go ahead.

Exhibitions have already been held in Severn Beach, Easter Compton, Olveston and Avonmouth as part of the latest consultation but comments can also be accepted on the www.avonpowerstation.com website.

The ScottishPower plan is separate from proposals to build an extension to the existing gas fired Seabank plant, which is some 200 metres away to the south west.