PROPOSED EXTENSION
AT BARKING POWER STATION
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Non-technical Summary
July 2006
This document is the Non-Technical Summary of an
Environmental Statement prepared for Barking Power Limited
to support its application to the Secretary of State for Trade and
Industry for consent to construct and operate an
electricity generating station at Chequers Lane, Dagenham,
Essex. The Environmental Statement is a comprehensive
technical document that may be purchased from Barking Power
Limited at the address below at a cost of £70. A copy of this
Non-Technical Summary may be obtained free of charge from
Barking Power Limited and the project's web site at
http://www.barkingx.info/
Copies of the Environmental Statement have been placed on deposit at the following
locations where members of the public may examine them during normal office hours:
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Spatial Regeneration
Ground Floor
Town Hall
Barking
IG11 7LU
Barking Power Limited
Administration Building
Barking Power Station
Chequers Lane
Dagenham
Essex RM9 6PF
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Central Library Unit 53
Vicarage Field Shopping Centre
Ripple Road
Barking
IG11 8DQ
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Existing station (dark green) Barking extension (light green)
LAYDOWN
LOCATION
BACKGROUND
Barking Power Limited owns Barking Power Station, a gas-fired electricity
generating station of 1000 megawatt (MW) capacity located at Chequers
Lane, Dagenham.
Barking Power Station consists of two blocks of
combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant. Natural
gas, the principal fuel, is supplied at high pressure
through a buried pipeline connecting with the
National Transmission System.
Barking Power Station has provided electricity to
the National Grid since it was commissioned in
1995 and is the largest power station in Greater
London, an area short of power generation. The
infrastructure in the area can easily support
additional gas-fired electricity generation. An
application to build an extension to Barking Power
Station was submitted to the Secretary of State in
1997. This has not been determined since the
lifting of the moratorium on new generation
stations following the Government's review of the
coal industry, and has been withdrawn. The area
has seen considerable change since 1995, with
improvements in transport infrastructure and
several major developments completed and
proposed.
THE PROJECT
The project (designated Barking Extension) involves construction of a new
CCGT block of 470MW nominal capacity.
The new CCGT block would comprise 1 large gas
turbine, a waste heat boiler (also known as a heat
recovery steam generator), 1 steam turbine,
generators and associated plant. The waste heat
boiler would have a steel chimney and a second
smaller chimney would allow flexible operation of
the new block. A buried cable would take the
electrical power from the new CCGT to the
existing National Grid substation in Renwick Road.
Provision to extract heat in the form of low-
pressure steam would be made so that the new
CCGT block could operate as a combined heat and
power (CHP) plant. Space would be allowed for
heat exchangers enabling hot water to be made
available to new developments and associated
district heating schemes in the area.
Barking Extension would share some services with
the existing Barking Power Station, and would use
gas from the existing high-pressure gas pipeline
supplying the Station.
The new CCGT would be constructed on a site
adjoining Barking Power Station. An experienced
engineering, procurement and construction
contractor would carry out all the design and
construction. A temporary construction area to
lay down materials and equipment prior to
building the new plant, and provide parking
during construction, would be set up on a nearby
site to the west.
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PROJECT RATIONALE & ALTERNATIVES
There is an ongoing need for new generation capacity in the country at
large and more specifically in the London area.
Many of the existing coal and nuclear generating
stations are coming to the end of their working
lives. The Government's Energy Review has made
clear that all options for providing power need to
be considered. Recent concerns over security of
supplies, and rises in oil and gas prices, coupled
with increasing pressures to develop low carbon
generating sources, have raised the profile of the
nuclear option. However, even if the decision was
made today to commit to new nuclear stations,
there is little prospect that they would be ready
within 10 years. Some new generation will be
based on renewable sources of power (mainly
wind and biomass). These may be supplemented
with emerging technologies such as domestic or
micro combined heat and power together with
more conventional CHP sources. However, even
with energy saving measures such as better
insulation and more efficient domestic and
industrial heating systems, there will be a
requirement for new thermal power generation.
CCGTs, with efficiencies of 55% (or higher when
operated as CHP plant), represent the best available
technology for thermal power generation.
There are a number of benefits that make the site
adjacent to Barking Power Station a particularly
favourable location for additional gas fired
generation capacity:
· The existing buried natural gas pipeline has
sufficient capacity for an additional 470MW
of generation.
· A National Grid 400kV substation is available for
connection approximately 2 km from the site.
· Some services can be obtained from the
existing station with virtually no environmental
effects
· Sufficient area is available for a CCGT extension.
· The site has good road access being close to the
A13.
· The site has access to back-up fuel storage.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT & CONSENT
The Electricity Act 1989 requires that consent be obtained to construct or
extend, and operate an electricity generation station of more than 50MW
capacity; this is usually referred to as Section 36 consent.
Provision is made in the legislation for planning
permission to be granted by a direction of the
Secretary of State at the same time as Section 36
consent. The relevant regulations require that an
Environmental Statement (ES) be prepared to
support a Section 36 application. The ES sets out
information on the environmental effects of the
project so that the Secretary of State can take
these into account when determining consent.
This document is a Non-Technical Summary of
the ES.
Barking Power is a statutory undertaker and, as
such, entitled to lay electric cables under
highways. An assessment of the environmental
effects of laying and operating the cable is
included in the ES.
The ES also includes an assessment of the
environmental effects of the temporary use of a
nearby site for construction purposes.
Operation of Barking Extension would require a
permit in accordance with Integrated Pollution
Prevention and Control (IPPC). The necessary
permit would be applied for in due course as a
separate matter to the Section 36 consent.
As part of the application for Section 36 consent, a
comprehensive investigation has been undertaken of
the available and future opportunities for using
CHP in the area. The planned configuration delivers
a heat output of about 100MW (as hot water),
which could be supplied at low cost at the
boundary of the generating station. Today there are
no potential heat users who can be economically
supplied but this situation is expected to change in
the next few years with projects such as the Barking
Riverside and Barking Town Centre Re-generation.
Barking Extension is therefore to be developed as a
conventional electricity generation project, but
with the capability of conversion to CHP when
suitable heat loads have been developed.
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed Barking Extension would occupy an area of about 3 hectares
to the east of Chequers Lane, and immediately to the south of Barking
Power Station
This site is vacant, previously having been used as
dry goods storage. The existing structures on the
site would be demolished as part of the project.
An existing warehouse within the Barking Power
Station boundary would also be demolished and a
replacement constructed a little further north.
Good road access is available from the A13.
A turbine hall of 68m by 56m and 26m high
would contain the gas turbine, steam turbine and
some ancillary equipment. The specific turbines
have not yet been selected, but there are a
number of possible manufacturers whose
products could be accommodated in the turbine
hall as proposed.
PLAN OF BARKING EXTENSION
The turbine hall would be at right angles to
Chequers Lane (and the existing Barking Power
Station turbine hall) and would have the same
architectural style and a colour consistent with
the existing Barking Power Station.
The waste heat boiler could be either of a
horizontal or vertical configuration, but the
overall external dimensions would be about 50m
by 20m and 35m high whichever form is selected.
A series of supplementary burners would be
included in the waste heat boiler to increase
steam output and provide additional flexibility in
responding to electricity demand from the Grid
and/or heat demands from district heating users.
A self-supporting steel chimney 75m high would
connect with the waste heat boiler to allow
combustion gases to exhaust. A second, by-pass,
chimney 35m high would be constructed
between the gas turbine and the waste heat
boiler. The by-pass chimney allows the gas
turbine to start-up more quickly and facilitates a
rapid response to load changes on the Grid. Also,
when the boiler or steam turbines are out of
service, some generation can be maintained from
the plant.
The chimneys would have external access ladders
and platforms at intervals to comply with health
and safety requirements.
The chimney heights would be subject to the
approval of the Environment Agency when IPPC
permitting is sought, but are expected to be no
higher than proposed. The height of the chimneys
would both minimise local building wake effects
and ensure effective dispersion of emissions.
The steam turbine would have the facility to
export heat for district heating purposes. Even
with CHP operation, however, there is a need to
condense excess steam and re-use the water. The
steam condensers would be cooled using cooling
cells. These would incorporate a heater in the
exhaust stream to eliminate visible water vapour
plume in all but the most unusual weather
conditions.
Natural gas treatment (heating and filtering)
would be carried out in a new unit at the
northern end of the existing Station. New
pipelines within the site would convey gas to the
new CCGT, and connect with the existing gas oil
storage at Barking Power Station. Gas oil would
be used as back-up fuel in the event of
interruption of the natural gas supply.
Barking Extension Site looking north west
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Services such as water treatment, public address,
telephone, drainage, sewerage, security and fire
protection would be provided from Barking Power
Station.
The existing internal road layout would be
amended as necessary. The security fence around
Barking Power Station would be extended to
enclose the Barking Extension. New vehicular
access for the Barking Extension would be
constructed to connect with Chequers Lane.
CONSTRUCTION
Construction contracts would be let following
competitive tendering. Construction would take
about 2 years and, subject to obtaining consent,
could start in 2007/8.
The Extension Site would be secured during
construction with hoarding and fencing. The
turbines and other principal structures such as the
chimneys, waste heat boiler and cooling cells
would require piled foundation. Driven piles are
likely to be used, as was the case for Barking
Power Station, and for more recent development
in the area.
The construction laydown and parking area would
provide about 250 car/van park spaces on the site
of the former municipal tip. This temporary use
would not affect the Barking Riverside proposals
or provisions for new transport links. Drainage to
protect Gores Brook, fencing, and lighting would
be needed. Shuttle buses would be provided to
convey workers between the Extension Site and
the car park. Car and van parking would not be
allowed on Chequers Lane or other local roads.
The cables would be laid in a trench probably
under the roads. Single lane traffic with
temporary traffic lights is likely to be required for
several weeks at a time over the 40 weeks of
cable construction.
An Environmental Management System (EMS)
based on international standards, and a
Construction Code of Practice would be
implemented during construction to ensure
proper control of activities and protect the
environment.
OPERATION
The Barking Extension is expected to operate in a
similar way to Barking Power Station: usually
continuously as base load electricity supplier, but
it may well operate at different loads as market
requirements vary.
Interruptions to the natural gas supply usually
occur in blocks of up to a few days at a time in
winter months when the gas system experiences
peak demand. When there is an interruption to
the natural gas supply Barking Extension would
use gas oil, as does Barking Power Station.
Supplementary firing of the waste heat boiler is
likely to occur at Arial of peak electricity demand.
Laydown and Gores Brook
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CONSULTATION
From an early stage Barking Power consulted with the London Borough of
Barking and Dagenham, the Greater London Authority and the
Environment Agency
Barking Power has also consulted with all key local
stakeholders, providing information on its plans
and inviting comments on the Barking Extension
proposals by way of a newsletter, the company's
website and a public exhibition held locally.
Support for Barking Power's proposals has been
overwhelming from those residents who attended
the exhibition and returned feedback cards. There
has only been a limited public response as most
residents are clearly supportive of Barking Power's
aims and do not regard Barking Extension as
controversial. During construction Barking Power
will continue to liaise with the local authority and
communities by having regular meetings with
councillors and distributing information to
residents. There will also be a resident's hotline so
that any problems resulting from construction
activity can be quickly identified and remedied.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
A comprehensive technical assessment of potential environmental impact
has been made taking into account feedback from consultation.
A comprehensive technical assessment of
potential environmental impact has been made
taking into account feedback from consultation.
The result of the assessment is reported in the ES
and summarised below. Mitigation to address
possible adverse significant effects on the
environment as a result of the project includes
avoidance by design, reduction or remediation.
AIR QUALITY
The combustion of natural gas and gas oil gives
emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and
carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Very low
levels of sulphur dioxide and some very small
solid particles (less than 10 millionths of a metre
and denoted as PM10) are emitted at Arial when
the back up fuel, gas oil, is used.
During construction there is a potential for dust
to arise when excavation and demolition works
are carried out. The contractor would be required
to put in place measures to control dust
emissions including:
· Water suppression to reduce dust emissions;
· Use of solid hoardings;
· Wheel washing; and
· Sheeting of loads.
When in operation, the most important emission
affecting local air quality is NOx. This is
particularly so in the Dagenham location where
NOx emissions from road traffic are very high.
The relevant air quality standards are already
exceeded along some roads in the area, and the
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
intends to create a borough-wide air quality
management area (AQMA).
NOx emissions from the Barking Extension would
be controlled using dry low-NOx (DLN) burner
technology when firing on natural gas. This
technology depends on proprietary systems
developed by each potential turbine manufacturer
to suit its design. DLN burners represent the "best
available techniques" for reducing NOx emissions.
DLN burners, for use with both natural gas and gas
oil fuel, have not yet been developed
commercially. NOx emissions would be controlled
by water injection when firing with the back-up gas
oil. Water injection reduces the temperature of
the combustion and so reduces the formation of
oxides of nitrogen. Similar NOx control
technologies are currently employed on Barking
Power Station, which has some of the lowest
emissions in the country.
Emission of sulphur dioxide from combustion
plant is proportional to the sulphur content of the
fuel. Natural gas transported through the National
Transmission System is sulphur free. Gas oil with
sulphur content of less than 0.1% would be used
for the Barking Extension project in line with the
relevant EU Directive.
Carbon monoxide is produced when incomplete
combustion takes place. It is often monitored as a
measure of combustion efficiency and an operator
has strong incentives to maximise the process
efficiency.
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The emissions of carbon dioxide depend on the
carbon content of the fuel. Carbon dioxide is not
a toxic gas, has no local air quality issues but it is
a significant contributor to the `global warming'.
Carbon dioxide emissions from the Barking
Extension would be minimised by optimising
plant operational efficiency. The efficiency of the
proposed CCGT technology compares favourably
with other established UK generation
technologies such as coal-fired boilers. The
Barking Extension would typically achieve overall
efficiencies of about 55%. By comparison,
coal-fired boilers typically achieve efficiencies of
36-37%. Should CHP be employed it would allow
a further significant increase in efficiency.
A computer-based dispersion model approved by
the Environment Agency for the assessment of
emissions from power stations has been used to
predict ground level concentrations of the
pollutants of interest noted above. Different
operational scenarios have been modelled
covering the two fuels used, supplementary firing
in the waste heat boiler, and the cumulative effect
of both Barking Power Station and Barking
Extension operating together. The emission levels
used for the analysis are consistent with the
maximum permitted for new gas turbines under
the EU's Large Combustion Plant Directive. This is
the emission level that manufacturers of new gas
turbines will warrant achieving, but the emission
levels in practice are invariably lower, as is the
case of the existing Barking Power Station
emissions. The dispersion modelling therefore
represents the worst-case. Even with this
approach, Barking Extension emissions would not
result in air quality standards being exceeded.
Studies of designated nature conservation sites
show no material contributions from airborne
concentrations of NOx and therefore deposition
of NOx is not considered a significant effect on
such sites.
ARCHEOLOGY
Barking Extension operation has no effects on
archaeology, but its construction has the
potential to affect archaeological resources in the
area. No site-specific archaeological information
is available. The assessment concludes that the
importance of the archaeological remains (if there
are any) is likely to be low, and no large change to
them is expected as a result of the Barking
Extension.
Construction provides the opportunity for
additional information to be gathered and, in
order to ensure all sensible precautions are taken,
a hierarchy of mitigation measures would be
implemented.
Site investigation pits or boreholes constructed for
engineering purposes would be monitored. The
results of this initial activity would allow suitable
mitigation measures to be taken in advance of and
during the construction if required. A programme
of archaeological mitigation would be agreed with
the Local Authority.
Predicted contours of annual average NOx concentrations (microgrammes per cubic metre)
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CABLES
New buried electricity cables are expected to
follow the line of existing highways between the
Barking Extension and the National Grid
substation at Renwick Road. The cables would be
laid in lengths of about 300m in a trench about
1.3m deep and a similar width. The cables would
not be fluid filled, so leakage to the surrounding
ground would be eliminated.
The temporary traffic signals used to control
traffic flow around the trench works would
incorporate a bus priority system. Measurements
of existing traffic flow have been made, and no
unacceptable traffic queues or delays are
predicted from the use of traffic signals.
The assessment shows that the electromagnetic
fields produced by the energised cables are well
within exposure guidelines recommended by the
National Radiological Protection Board, which
advises the Government in such matters. No
interference with electrical equipment including
cardiac pacemakers and visual display units would
occur. The cables would emit no noise.
GROUND CONTAMINATION & WASTE
Available records and site inspection have been
sufficient to provide satisfactory knowledge of
the historic use of the site and the likely
contamination that exists.
The site comprises `made ground' underlain by
superficial deposits of alluvium and other strata,
with the Upper Chalk (a minor aquifer) at depth.
The `made ground' includes ash, clinker and
furnace slag.
The site history shows previous industrial uses
including an iron foundry and concrete pile
manufacture, as well as the more recent storage
of dry goods. These uses, together with the uses
to which surrounding land has been put, suggest
that some historical contamination is to be
expected. This contamination is generally limited
to the `made ground' in the area, which has
widespread low level of pollution with localised
pockets of heavier contamination, including some
hydrocarbons.
There are impermeable strata between the fill and
the Chalk, so little vertical movement of
groundwater occurs. Thus any contamination that
might exist is unlikely to migrate downwards or
threaten water resources. Piles are expected to be
used as part of the foundation construction, but
would not be of a depth to enter the Chalk nor
create a pollution pathway between the Chalk and
the upper levels.
Much of the material excavated during construction
of the Barking Extension could be re-cycled for use.
Some would need to be removed as waste, and
some of this waste would be contaminated and
require special handling. The volumes are not large,
however, and no significant effects on the region's
waste disposal capacity have been identified. No
excavation is planned on the temporary laydown
and car park area.
No effects on ground contamination during
operation would arise. The operation of Barking
Extension does not produce waste products other
than from maintenance, which would be
combined with similar waste from Barking Power
Station and disposed of in accordance with
regulatory controls.
LAND USE PLANNING & EMPLOYMENT
A review of the several planning polices and plans
that apply to development in the location at
Dagenham Dock has been made.
The provision of new electrical generating power
is basic to meeting the needs of industry,
commerce, transport and residential use. The
development plan does not make specific
provision for the development of power stations,
but the clear implication of the regeneration of
the Thames Gateway is that infrastructure must
be made available if the regeneration of the area
is to be a success. The Barking Extension extends
an existing power station site rather than
introducing a new site.
The scale and nature of both the existing
surrounding development, and the redevelopment
that is already taking place, is such that the
proposal does not dominate the surroundings. The
major issue of sustainability has been addressed
through the examination of CHP.
Barking Extension is expected to provide an
average of 280 jobs in construction over a 1 to 2
year period. The permanent workforce would
increase by up to 4 people. The long-term social
and economic impact of the proposal is likely to be
neutral but the short-term effect of the
construction jobs would be a beneficial although
not a significant effect. There will be some benefit
to local providers of services through indirect
economic activity.
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NOISE & VIBRATION
Noise and vibration effects would arise both from
construction of Barking Extension and its
operation.
Noise sensitive areas have been identified at
Scrattons Farm Estate and the Keel Close area.
Particular attention has been given to these
residential areas as well as the potential
developments to the west at Barking Reach.
The contractor would be obliged to seek consent
from the local authority to the methods used for
controlling noise from the construction. No
adverse significant effects are identified from
construction noise, although there would be some
noise heard from time to time, as is the case with
all construction work.
During operation of Barking Extension, even
combined with noise from the existing power
station, there are no adverse noise or vibration
effects identified at any of the residential areas.
Also the noise levels at the boundary of the
potential development to the west would be
within the limits agreed with the local authority
to protect the amenity of the area.
ECOLOGY
Surveys of the terrestrial ecology of the Barking
Extension site have not revealed any concerns.
None of the plant or animal species observed was
of local or national conservation importance and
are common at sites throughout the East London.
The development of the site would not affect the
region's biodiversity. No effects on ecology
would result from the temporary use of the
laydown and car park area.
No adverse effects on any areas nationally or
internationally designated for nature conservation
have been identified from any emission from
Barking Extension.
TRAFFIC
The road traffic generated by the construction
and operation of the Barking Extension has been
assessed. During operation there would be
virtually no additional traffic movements.
Construction traffic movements between the
site and the A13 trunk road, the site and the
construction laydown area have been estimated.
Many heavy goods vehicles use the local road
network and the additional traffic generated by
the construction of the Barking Extension is not
predicted to cause any significant effects on the
capacity of the local road network.
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WATER
The Barking Extension would not use the River
Thames for direct cooling, as does the existing
power station. Use would be made of the existing
connection with the River to provide very small
volumes of make-up water for the cooling cells,
which lose water due to evaporation.
Some relatively minor flows from the Barking
Extension would pass to the River Thames, but
diluted with the large cooling water return flow
from Barking Power Station. Rainwater from
Barking Extension would flow to the Dagenham
Breach, and be of benefit to this lake. No local
water bodies would experience adverse effects.
During construction effective controls would
ensure that the local drainage was not affected by
run off from the site.
Water used in the waste heat boiler to raise
steam and for NOx control when using the stand
by gas oil fuel, would be supplied from Barking
Power Station's existing demineralised water
treatment plant.
Choats Road and laydown
TOWNSCAPE & VISUAL
The visual effects of the Barking Extension have
been assessed. The Barking Extension site is
located in an area of low townscape quality, and
the proposals would help to improve the
townscape quality through the removal of
unused land.
The visual impacts of the Barking Extension
would be largely contained within the
surrounding immediate locality of the site.
From greater distances the views would be
restricted to the chimney and upper sections of
the new buildings and structures. The visual
amenity of the area would not be diminished.
The architectural style of the new buildings
would match those at Barking Power Station.
Limited space is available for landscaping, but
some additional planting would be carried out
where possible.
Choats Road and laydown
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