The UK government has asked for more information on the Connah's Quay Low Carbon Power Project, a proposed gas-fired power station with carbon capture on land next to the existing Connah's Quay Power Station in Flintshire. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is considering whether to grant development consent after the Examining Authority sent its report in September. A final decision is expected by December. Much of the extra scrutiny is about the Dee Estuary, which is protected as a Special Protection Area, Ramsar site and Special Area of Conservation. Regulators have been asked to update their positions on atmospheric pollution, nitrogen deposition on saltmarsh, impacts on bird populations, and noise or pollution from barge movements. Uniper has proposed compensation including new saltmarsh and 25 hectares of habitat at Gronant Fields near Prestatyn for curlew. Responses to the information request are due by October 29. The government says the request does not indicate how it will decide the application, but the outcome will set a marker for how large gas with carbon capture projects are assessed against protected habitats in the UK.
