The final reliability and performance tests of the 840MW plant being developed by Marchwood Power are now under way. The plant is a 50:50 joint venture between SSE and ESB International.
When the station becomes operational, the installed capacity of SSE’s electricity generation portfolio (including its share of joint ventures and associates) will increase to around 11,500MW.
SSE said that its total investment in Marchwood will be GBP200m (comprising equity and debt). All of the station’s output is contracted to SSE.
Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE, said: “Ensuring Marchwood becomes fully operational in the next few weeks is the most immediate priority in our programme of projects and investments.”
“That, along with the return to service in June of Medway power station, means we have a portfolio of gas-fired power stations that should be able to make a much more significant contribution than last year to meeting the country’s energy needs this winter.”
