Willington gas pipeline - overview

If built, Willington C Power Station would be fuelled by natural gas. As Willington A and B stations were coal-fired, there is no existing infrastructure for transporting gas to the site, so a new gas pipeline would need to be constructed to bring the natural gas fuel to the new station.

As a result, we would need to build up to approximately 30 kilometres of gas pipeline to connect the power station to the National Transmission System (NTS), which transmits gas around the country. The route for this pipeline, which is likely to connect to the NTS south of Yoxall, has yet to be finalised and will be agreed in consultation with the relevant local authorities, landowners and the local community.

Any gas pipeline that is constructed would be laid underground, avoiding residential areas, and so would not be visible above ground level. The gas pipeline would connect to the NTS at a new compound where there would be a small building, valves and metering equipment.

We are committed to limiting the impact of our work on local people and we will undertake all necessary studies to complete the work in a secure and environmentally responsible manner and with the minimum of disruption to local people.

The gas pipeline requires a separate consent application to the power station and, as a result of changes to the UK’s planning system, this will be submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). The IPC is an independent body which makes decisions on applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects, such as new power stations and any associated developments including gas pipelines.