600 jobs could be created if Holyhead power plant gets go-ahead

PLANS to bring a ?600m investment to Holyhead are one step closer to being approved.

An extraordinary meeting of Anglesey County Council was held last Thursday to discuss the possibility of bringing a bio- mass electricity generating station to Penrhos, Holyhead.

The application has been submitted by Anglesey Aluminium Metals Renewables Ltd to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and if successful, could create around 600 construction jobs in the town.

The plant, which would employ 100 people once finished, would be situated alongside the existing smelter, with the capacity of generating around 300 mega watts of energy, almost a third of the amount currently generated by Wylfa.

Councillors welcomed the proposals, choosing not to vote for a public inquiry. However, concerns were raised over several issues, including the visibility of the plant, the amount of pot ash it would create and plans to remove some trees from the site during the construction process.

Cllr Goronwy Parry said: "I was shocked to hear that trees were going to be cut down. There are only small patches of woodland left in that area. I praise Anglesey Aluminium for the way they have secured wildlife in the past.

"It is important that this is acknowledged as a site of some important habitats, although I do not oppose the creation of new jobs."

In contrast, Cllr Bob Parry argued: "This is a fruitless site and it would only be an extension to the plant. I sympathise with Cllr Parry, but what would we rather see in Holyhead – birds or young people finding work?"

Cllr Barrie Durkin reminded the council that the industries of both Anglesey and Wales are currently in dire straits. He added: "Businesses are packing up and going abroad. We need industry, I fully support this application and we need to show that we are grasping the nettle."

A suggestion was put forward by Cllr John Penri Williams to reuse the carbon emitted from the plant in other developments, referring to a particular greenhouse project in Northampton, an idea which was supported by council leader Cllr Clive McGregor: "I think it is necessary to be completely open to the possibilities.

"We need work. The potash is something farmers use on their land, and I can see the possibility of bringing another company in which would be able to market it as a bi- product."