Residents question firm over power plant

Artist's impression of the Valleys Energy power station

Hundreds of residents opposed to plans to build a £375m power station near Neath questioned the developers about the scheme on Tuesday night.

Representatives from Valleys Energy Ltd addressed a public meeting about proposals for the facility which could power more than 500,000 homes.

They are not happy with it at all - they have had so much in the past, they are not prepared to put up with it again

Charlie Burfitt, local resident

The 460-megawatt unit, near Onllwyn in the Dulais Valley, has been billed as one of the most environmentally friendly power stations of its kind in the world.

The project is also expected to secure up to 1,000 jobs - as well as the future of Tower Colliery - and give Wales a head-start in the production of green energy.

Local resident Charlie Burfitt said about 250 people had attended the meeting.

"The conclusion is they don't want it," he said.

"Everywhere you go, everyone is talking about the plan.

"They are not happy with it at all - they have had so much in the past, they are not prepared to put up with it again," he added.

New jobs

Representatives of Valleys Energy, including Peter Whitton, the managing director of the Gloucester-based firm, said there was "much local support" for the plan.

"We are glad that we have been able to address some misconceptions that have been circulating," he said.

The Dulais Valley has suffered from unemployment

"The power station will be clean, bringing in fuel by rail and using it in a totally enclosed process to capture the gases that produce acid rain.

"There will be no smoke belching chimney, no toxic waste and covered conveyors to minimize any dust.

"This is an exciting project which will give a boost to the economy and bring a world-leading power plant to Wales, with the prospects of more spin-off developments to provide more jobs," he added.

The former opencast site at Onllwyn, north of Neath, has been selected for the project because of the location's rail links for coal deliveries.

Several million tonnes of anthracite would be needed during the power station's projected 20-year lifespan.

Valleys Energy said the plant it wants to build - an integrated gas combined cycle power station - would generate electricity more efficiently and more cleanly than a conventional coal-fired power station.