Pembroke Power Station - Draft Decision

Overview

RWE Generation UK Plc has submitted an application to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to change its environmental permit for Pembroke Power Station (permit number EPR/DP3333TA).

This change, termed a ‘variation’, is a legal requirement under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2016.

We have assessed the proposed changes and are minded to grant the permit variation. We are seeking your comments on the draft permit.

Application Details

Application Reference: PAN-027129

Application Type: Substantial variation to an environmental permit

Regulated facility type: Installation – Section 1.1: Combustion – Part A(1)(a) Burning any fuel in an appliance with a rated thermal input of 50 megawatts or more.

Regulated facility location: Pembroke Power Station, West Pennar, Pembroke SA71 5SS

Operator: RWE Generation UK Plc

Pembroke Power Station has five combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) that generate electricity using natural gas fuel.

The operator has applied to vary the permit to add an electrolytic hydrogen production facility to the installation, powered by electricity from renewable energy sources and corresponding to an activity listed under Section 4.2: Inorganic Chemicals – Part A(1)(a)(i) Producing inorganic chemicals such as – gases (for example hydrogen). This new facility is co-located with the power station and the primary activity (power generation) remains largely unaltered by this variation.

The application contains a description of how the proposed changes will affect the installation; the materials, substances and energy it will use and generate; the conditions of its site; the source, nature and quantity of its foreseeable emissions and their potential impact, the proposed techniques for preventing, reducing, and monitoring its emissions and preventing and recovering waste; and an outline of the main alternatives, if any, considered.

Our draft decision

We are minded to issue the permit variation. We will only issue a permit variation if we believe that significant pollution will not be caused, and the operator has the ability to meet the conditions of the permit.

The permit includes appropriate conditions to protect human health and the environment. 

Why your views matter  

This is your opportunity to review our draft decision and submit your comments. We will take all relevant responses into account before we make our final decision on the permit application. 

Please see Natural Resources Wales / Public participation: how you can take part in our permit and licence consultations for more information on how we consult and what matters are within our regulatory remit.  

You can view the following draft documents using the links below:

• Draft permit
• Draft variation notice
• Draft decision document

They are also available on our online public register.

You can submit your comments using the online consultation link below. If you have any issues submitting your comments, you can send your comments to us by email to permittingconsultations@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.