Chinese firm backs Wyre power station

Wyre Power and China Machinery Engineering Corporation have signed an agreement that could pave the way for a gas-fired power station at the Hillhouse Enterprise Zone in Lancashire.

Wyre Power, part of NPL Group, and CMEC signed a collaboration agreement to support the 900 MW plant, which is expected to be operational by 2022 and power one million homes.

Work on a development consent order has already begun, with Wyre Power working with China National Electric Engineering Company, a sister company of CMEC, on developing the design of the power plant. Both Chinese firms will be involved in the project.

A public consultation is to start in the New Year following development of the project’s design.

Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North & Cleveleys, who hosted the ceremony in the House of Commons, said the deal represented “a £500m investment into skilled quality jobs” in the local area.

“I’ve been a long advocate of the Hillhouse International site which is why I battled to have it made an Enterprise Zone, and Assisted Area Status,” he said.

“With the new A585 and further development space remaining I can only see great things for Hillhouse International and those companies that choose to invest and grow their businesses on it.”

Garry Payne, chief executive of Wyre Council added: “We’ve been in discussions with NPL and their Chinese partners for over two years and we are delighted that this has come to fruition. The signing marks an historic moment and a significant investment in Wyre, hopefully the first in a series of many more to come.”

The Hillhouse Enterprise Zone is a 341 acre site on the Wyre coast, formerly home to the ICI chemical production facility.