The UK Government has granted development consent for a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in King’s Lynn.
Palm Paper CCGT Power Station has become the 50th Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project to be given the green light. Out of the 50 projects examined by the Planning Inspectorate, 31 were energy, 16 transport, two waste and one wastewater.
The paper mill consumes a significant amount of energy in the form of electricity and steam within the recycling and production processes.
Palm Paper hopes the new 162MW plant will help reduce its reliance on imported energy.
The power station is expected to achieve a thermal efficiency of around 85%, which it says is “considerably higher” than conventional coal or gas-fired plants.
It will displace the two existing and “considerably less efficient” boilers as well as reduce carbon emissions.
Last year the government announced plans to close all coal-fired power stations by 2025 and replace them with gas.
