Uniper is exploring the potential development of a new gas-fired power station with carbon capture technology at our Connah’s Quay site which would be capable of providing around 1.1GW of low carbon power. The proposed new power station would be developed in two phases, each with a capacity of around 550MW.
Our Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power Project forms part of a long-term replacement strategy for our existing unabated power station and if realised, the new combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station could be operational by 2030. An initial 550MW would be enough low carbon electricity to power up to 1.4 million homes a year.
The development of a new low carbon power station at Connah’s Quay could create opportunities during the construction phase and once it becomes operational, help to retain around 60 permanent jobs as well as helping to safeguard jobs in the wider area.
About the project
What is the Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power project?
As we become more reliant on electricity, with the electrification of sectors such as transport, heating and industry, more generation capacity will be needed. The UK Government has also committed to decarbonising the UK electricity system by 2035, subject to security of supply . And, maintaining security of supply and grid stability are paramount, as we become increasingly reliant on electricity.
The proposed development at Connah’s Quay is a project, at an early stage of development, which if consented and developed, would be able to flexibly and reliably generate low carbon power to meet the growing need for electricity, whenever it is required.
The project includes plans to develop a new combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station on Uniper’s land at its Connah’s Quay site. The project is at an early stage and final capacity will be determined following completion of Front End Engineering Design (FEED) which is due to commence later in 2024. Uniper is working towards a development consisting of two phases, each of 550MW although this will be determined by the final design and could be up to a maximum of two x 690MW, providing a maximum of 1.38GW of low carbon power in total.
The new Connah’s Quay power station will be fitted with carbon capture technology to capture CO₂ emissions. The captured CO₂ would then be safely transported to permanent offshore storage facilities in repurposed depleted offshore gas fields. The new power station would connect into nearby CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure as part of the HyNet industrial cluster.
Timeliness of Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power
Uniper’s aim is to accelerate the energy transition and at the same time meet the challenge of a reliable decarbonised electricity supply. And so it is investing, both to decarbonise its existing power generation portfolio and to develop new, flexible zero-carbon generation capability.
The proposed new power station with carbon capture technology at Connah's Quay is an important part of addressing that challenge. If consented and developed, the project would bolster energy security by providing flexible electricity generation and ensuring a reliable supply to the electricity grid, as and when needed. The plans are for a potential capacity of around 1.1GW of low-carbon power, developed in two phases each of 550MW. From completion of phase one, the project could supply electricity equivalent to 34% of the average annual power demand for Wales, powering the equivalent of up to 1.4 million homes a year.
Uniper's Connah's Quay Low Carbon Power project will not only generate low carbon electricity but could also create social value by preserving jobs in the area, working with local communities, and contributing to biodiversity in the region.
The role of gas in the energy transition
To achieve the UK’s ambition of Net Zero by 2050, and as we become more reliant on electricity, with the electrification of sectors such as transport, heating and industry, more generation capacity will be needed. According to the UK’s independent advisor on climate change, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), demand for electricity is forecast to increase by 50% by 2035. To meet this increasing demand and achieve the UK’s decarbonisation goals, a range of different technologies with both renewables and decarbonised generation, such as gas with carbon capture and storage, will be needed to maintain a secure and stable supply of electricity.
The proposed new CCGT power station with carbon capture at Connah’s Quay would be able to flexibly and reliably generate low carbon power to meet the growing need for electricity, whenever it is required. Power stations such as this will play a crucial role in the future energy system, as they can help ensure that energy is available at times when it is needed most, and when power from renewable sources can’t meet demand.
Why build a new power station at Connah’s Quay?
Connah’s Quay is an ideal location to establish a low carbon power station - it would connect into nearby CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure as part of the HyNet industrial cluster, and benefits from the on-hand expertise of the existing highly skilled workforce.
There has also been a power station on site for over seventy years, meaning essential energy infrastructure is already in place, including an existing pipeline which can be repurposed for the transport of captured CO₂ to the existing depleted offshore gas fields where it will be permanently stored. From a coal-powered station in the 1950s, to the current natural gas power station, and with future plans to move to a low carbon power plant; the evolution of the Connah’s Quay site is an example of how the energy industry is adapting to the challenge provided by climate change. We are pleased that this project could mean that highly skilled jobs can be retained at Connah’s Quay.
Investment at Connah’s Quay could contribute significantly to economic growth in the region, by protecting skilled technical jobs, creating new opportunities during construction, along with potential opportunities through the wider supply chain.
The Connah’s Quay Nature Reserve
Uniper is proud of the role we play in protecting the local environment and contributing to the local community at Connah’s Quay power station. We already work with Natural Resources Wales and local groups to maintain the site of special scientific interest (SSSI) on our land. This includes the provision and maintenance of a field study centre, hides and observatory, as well as a land management plan to optimise ecological diversity.
As part of our plans for the future of Connah’s Quay, we will work with our stakeholders to understand any concerns and take steps to protect existing habitats and enhance biodiversity.
Project plans
The Connah’s Quay site
Uniper is land owner of the 98 hectare Connah’s Quay site, currently occupied by our existing unabated gas-fired power station. The proposed new development will be located on the same site adjacent to the existing power station.
The map below shows indicative locations for the infrastructure that would be built on our site, as part of the proposed CQLCP project. Please note that these plans are still in an early stage of development and are subject to change following feedback and consultation with national statutory bodies, local authorities and the local community.
What will the new facility look like?
The final design will be determined during Front End Engineering Design (FEED) but we are proposing to build a new combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station with carbon capture technology.
What is carbon capture and storage?
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a key part of the process to reduce carbon emissions in energy generation . It involves the removal and capture of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from power plant emissions, transporting it away to be securely stored underground, often in aquifers or depleted oil and gas fields.
CCUS also refers to carbon capture and storage but with the ‘U’ referring to utilisation of the captured CO₂. Captured CO₂ can be used for a variety of industrial purposes, such as the production of synthetic fuel and low carbon building materials, or in the food and beverage industry.
How much carbon will be captured?
The amount of CO₂ captured depends on the amount of electricity generated which will vary to match demand needs. Based on our current modelling we expect that a new low carbon power station with carbon capture technology at Connah’s Quay could capture up to 1.2Mtpa per year for a 550MW single unit and 2.4Mtpa for 1.1GW overall capacity. At maximum output, for a 1.1GW power station the figure could be as high as 3.7Mtpa, which is equivalent to the emissions from more than 2.6 million cars.
Timeline
Proposals to develop a new low carbon power station at Connah’s Quay are at a very early stage. We have started a process of consultation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including national agencies, local authorities, businesses, community groups and local residents. For more information on our consultation please visit our dedicated consultation website here.
If consented, the new power station is expected to be developed in two phases; with an initial capacity of around 550MW of low-carbon power, and later expansion to 1.1GW. Phase one could potentially be operational by 2030.
Project documents
Your questions
A list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) has been produced and will continue to be updated throughout the planning process.
Uniper is an international energy company with activities in more than 40 countries and has roughly 7,000 employees worldwide. In the UK, Uniper owns and operates a flexible generation portfolio of seven power stations, a fast-cycle gas storage facility and two high pressure gas pipelines, from Theddlethorpe to Killingholme and from Blyborough to Cottam.
Uniper intends to be completely carbon-neutral by 2040 and aims for its installed power generating capacity to be more than 80% zero-carbon by 2030.
Uniper’s strategy is to secure a reliable energy supply whilst accelerating the energy transition.
To achieve that goal, we have committed to invest €8 billion into growth and transformation projects between 2023 and 2030. This includes developing new renewables projects, investing in clean gases such as hydrogen, and new low or zero carbon power plants and by progressively transforming our existing fleet into Europe's leading source of zero-carbon power.
CO₂ is stored safely offshore deep underground, typically between 0.8 – 3km down, for thousands of years.
CO₂ storage sites are carefully chosen to ensure the highest confidence in permanent storage and there is rigorous site characterisation, monitoring and verification procedures in place to ensure the CO₂ stays safely stored. These assessments and procedures are required by CCUS regulations before a project is allowed to proceed.
Many of the potential storage site opportunities are large saline aquifers or depleted oil and gas fields which are well understood and have already stored gas and CO₂ naturally for millions of years.
Proposals to develop a new low carbon power station at Connah’s Quay are at a very early stage. We have started a process of consultation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including national agencies, local authorities, businesses, community groups and local residents. We will undertake further consultation in the coming months, continuing until we submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate, expected to be later in 2024.
Uniper has a long-standing presence at Connah’s Quay and understands the importance of being a good neighbour. To ensure local people are consulted on our proposals, we will agree a programme of public consultation with the local planning authority – Flintshire County Council. This consultation programme will provide an opportunity for people in local communities and our stakeholders to ask questions and provide feedback on our proposals, and where possible, will help to inform our planning application.
For more information on our consultation and details of how you can have your say please visit our dedicated consultation website.
This will include opportunities to discuss the proposed project at different locations around the area and online, via the dedicated website as well as online events.
The development of a new low carbon power station at Connah’s Quay could help to maintain economic prosperity in Deeside and across the region, by protecting approximately 60 highly skilled jobs, as well as creating new opportunities during construction and through the wider supply chain.
Uniper has a long-standing presence at Connah’s Quay and understands the importance of being a good neighbour. To forecast how much traffic the proposed construction and operation of the facility could generate, Uniper will work with Highways England (HE) and the local planning authority to help inform extensive technical assessments. These will evaluate which roads may be used to access the site, and recommend appropriate measures to help manage traffic levels effectively. This would form part of our Environmental Impact Assessment to be included as part of the DCO planning application.
The Connah’s Quay site has many advantages, including the ability to use existing strategic infrastructure connections such as cooling water, gas and grid connections. An existing pipeline previously used to deliver gas to the site can be repurposed for the transport of captured CO2. It is our intention to retain and reuse as much infrastructure as possible for the development, while making sure it is fit for purpose for the lifetime of the new power station
Contact us
If you would like to talk to us about the project, you can contact our Community Relations Team using the following contact information:
Email us at [email protected]
Call us on 0800 0129156
Write to us at Freepost CQLCP
