Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston
DONG Energy withdrawal
Statement made by Ayrshire Power 12.10.09
Last year Peel Energy and DONG Energy established Ayrshire Power Limited as a joint venture to explore the possibility of gaining planning permission for a state-of-the-art multi-fuel power station at Hunterston. The joint venture agreement provided opportunities for either party to exit the project at various key milestones.
Over the last year Peel Energy has been providing direction on the planning application while DONG Energy has been providing technical input on the power station design. The partners have been supported by a team of consultants.
Following a recent strategic review by DONG Energy and the announcement that it intends to reduce its net investment programme, the company has decided to change its status within Ayrshire Power Limited from being an investor to a design partner.
The current team, with the continued input of DONG Energy's technical experts, will pursue the project into the planning process. A section 36 application will be submitted to the Scottish Government later this year.
Owen Michaelson, chairman of Peel Energy said: “We can all appreciate the business drivers behind this decision. We are sorry to lose DONG Energy as an investor on this project but are pleased the relationship will continue through their design services.
“Ayrshire Power's overall strategy for the project is unaffected by this decision. We have just completed the latest stage of our public consultations with the local community and other key stakeholders and we now look forward to continuing to progress through the planning process.”
