Demands for answer on power project
Hatfield Colliery
mayor Peter Davies is demanding further explanation as to why a “deplorable” decision was made to drop a green power plant plan for a former Doncaster colliery site.
Peter Davies has responded to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey MP, seeking further clarification on why the Don Valley CCS (Carbon capture and storage technology) Project did not make the shortlist in the Government’s Carbon Capture and Storage competition.
Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, said: “We need to get to the bottom of the Government’s deplorable decision.
“Ed Davey MP indicated that the Government was looking at the deliverability of projects in this competition, but the Don Valley Power Project was way ahead of the competition and a ‘good to go’ project with their support.
“It had all its ducks in a row. It had gone through the development phases, secured planning and had its finances lined up which included £1billion of overseas investment.
“The Government continues to stress they are about jobs and growth today when we need it most. If that is the case, how could the most advanced CCS project and number one in Europe be overlooked?
“Something is going on behind closed doors at Whitehall which has prevented the right decision for Doncaster, Yorkshire and the UK being made.
“It is mistake after mistake by this Government. Let’s hope they have the sense to rectify this poor decision which knocks the UK back years.”
Mr Davies had received a letter from Ed Davey in December explaining the reasons but said the response had left him “scratching his head”.
In the letter Mr Davies states: “You have a duty to be open an honest, especially as few, if anyone, can understand your decision making process”
Fears have grown for Hatfield Colliery’s lifespan following the government decision.
The move prompted MPs Ed Miliband, Caroline Flint and Rosie Winterton into holding an urgent meeting with Secretary of State for Energy Ed Davey to seek answers about why the project by 2Co Energy to build a carbon capture plant was dropped.
The plan was left off a list of projects for £1 billion of Government cash last year.
It had been hoped the scheme would result in £5 billion of investment in jobs and growth, generating 900MW of electricity - enough to power one million homes.
The Free Press contacted Ed Davey MP but he was unavailable for comment.
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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