The proposals for a new major power station to be built in King's Lynn have gone on show.
In 2009, EP UK Power Development Ltd (EPUKPD) was granted planning permission to build a 1,020 mega-watt power station at the Willows Site in Saddlebow, on the east of the existing Centrica King's Lynn 'A' Power Station.
Since then, new technology has meant that a 1,700 MW combined power plant could be built on the site, generating almost twice as much power.
In a consultation meeting held in South Lynn Community Centre on Tuesday, January 23, EPUKPD presented two options of what the plant may entail.
Option one is for the station to include two combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) units of up to 1,700 MW electric output.
Meanwhile option two laid out plans for one CCGT unit together with a gas fired peaking plants and/or a battery storage facility with a combined capacity of up to 1,700 MW.
South Lynn county councillor Alexandra Kemp said option two would emit lower emissions but is concerned about the fire risks that come with lithium batteries. She added: 'We need to find out more, what happens if the fire safety system fails? It will be the biggest battery store in the world. We also need to push for the human element to be taken into account and how the stack towers, which may be between 80 to 90 metres high, will affect the rural landscape of King's Lynn.
'They need to have a stack up the right height for safety but King's Lynn is a historic town not a major industrial one.'
Environmental campaigner Michael De Whalley also raised concerns about the impact the plant will have on wildlife, adding: 'Option two is much more flexible but the downside is the risk of the lithium battery catching fire because it is relatively knew technology.'
John Crankshaw, of EP UK Investments, said they have been listening to the concerns of the public, adding: 'We are submitting emissions and noise assessment and looking at the visual impact of what the plant will look like in the future from various points. Our policy is engage openly with the local community and very much get them on board throughout the process.'
Further information on the proposals can be found on www.kingslynnbccgt.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here